by Dave Weissman
Columbus Wired

Building on the Summer Showcase two years ago, Major League Lacrosse founder Jake Steinfeld has always envisioned a professional lacrosse team here in Columbus. In that summer of 2000, over 4,500 people showed up at Crew Stadium to witness a M.L.L. exhibition game.

From that moment forward, Columbus, Ohio kept whispering to him. This weekend part of his dream comes true as Major League Lacrosse holds the second championship game of its existence here in Columbus as Crew Stadium.

The two teams to battle for the MLL title are the Baltimore Bahawks and the Long Island Lizards. These are the same two teams that matched up last year with Long Island taking the title in a 15-11 victory.

And evidenced by the league hardware given out this afternoon, it may be a tough task for Long Island to repeat as champions.

Baltimore holds the league best record of 11-4 and is on a roll winning four of last five and six of its last eight to close out the regular campaign. But, they have lost to Long Island in the last three meetings, including last year’s championship contest.

Nevertheless, this is a new year and as evidenced by the hardware given out today during the MLL Awards, Baltimore may end up giving Long Island all it can handle.

Bayhawk’s goalkeeper Greg Cattrano became a two-time winner of the Warrior Goalie of the Year with 10 wins and a 6.2 save percentage. He was also named the League MVP as voted by Major League Lacrosse coaches and general managers. Baltimore Attacker Mark Millon was named the Offensive Player of the Year. Millon had six four-goal games this season.

It was also announced that one of the players on either squad has been named the SoBe Iron Lizard Award winner, but the official word will wait until halftime at the championship game.

Long Island hopes that Casey Powell, who led the league in points, can light up the scoreboard and bring home the championship trophy. But they need to pick up the early season momentum that saw them win the first eight of nine games. The Lizards finished the season dropping four of their last five before the playoffs began.

Ticket Information:
Catch all the hard hitting, fast moving and high scoring excitement as the elite teams of Major League Lacrosse battle it out in the 2002 Major League Lacrosse Championship Game at Columbus Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on Sunday, September 1 at 4:00 PM. Come early with the whole family to meet and greet the players and participate in our interactive Fan Zone and much, much more. Call 866-MLL-TIXX or visit www.majorleaguelacrosse.com