Baltimore takes the title
Bayhawks score early and often to defeat Long Island for the MLL Championship

by Dave Weissman

Attacker Mark Millon showed why he was chosen the 2002 MLL Offensive Player of the Year, scoring five goals and adding three assists to lead the regular season champs Baltimore Bayhawks past last years winner Long Island Lizards 21-13 to take the Major League Lacrosse Championship in front of an announced crowd of over 5,500 at Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.  Millon would also earn the Bud Light MVP for his performance.
 

In the rematch from last year's championship, Baltimore gave it to the Lizards early and often and at the end of the first quarter led and never really had a challenge from Long Island until the fourth quarter with the game pretty much out of reach. 

Baltimore at one point in the contest score six unanswered goals to pull away 12-3.  Millon would tally three goals during that stretch.  Long Island would get within seven goals, but could not overcome such a large deficit. 

It was special game for Millon since he played injured in last year's championship. 

Goalie Greg Cattrano was superb in goal stopping 25 shots and even taking charge in the third quarter, running up the field to take the shot, which was stopped by Lizards goalkeeper Brian Carcaterra.  "I was aiming left side, top shelf," Cattrano said.

Cattrano credited the whole team from top to bottom for the victory.  "(It was a) tremendous effort by every member of the team," he said.  "This is the best game we've played all season."

“We got beaten in every facet of the game by a team that played very well,” said Lizards’ coach John DeTomasso. “They deserve a lot of credit.”

"This team we beat today is so, so talented," said Millon.  "For us to beat them and have the best game of the year, top to bottom, with all of our players is just such a satisfying feeling."

It was a very special moment for Baltimore head coach Gary Gait, who was with Long Island last season. Gait came in during training camp and was named head coach.  His position of player/coach is unique in professional sports.  "I'm thrilled," he said.  "To be a part of it as a player is exciting, to be part of it as a coach will be something to remember."