The Blazers, Boston’s Lacrosse Team, Lose Season Opener Sat.
The Boston Blazers of the National Lacrosse League (NLL) fell to the Toronto Rock in their 2010 season opener at TD Garden on Saturday, 17-7.
In a repeat of last year’s season-opening loss, the Blazers appeared to be overmatched the entire game, as the visitors jumped out to a 7-1 lead and never looked back. Boston also made many mistakes, dropping passes, committing turnovers, and even allowing Toronto to score a shorthanded goal at the beginning of the game. All-star goalie Anthony Cosmo was pulled up for a backup after allowing twelve goals.
Coach Tom Ryan blamed the mental lapses on overconfidence and the team “expecting to win without earning it.” In addition, Ryan suspected of some players of not showing up in shape after the long holiday break.
Dan Dawson, last year’s NLL most valuable player who received his trophy at halftime, had three goals and two assists, but admitted that he and his teammates showed “a poor effort … and didn’t execute.”
“We weren’t ready to play today … [and need] better preparation for next week,” said a frustrated Cosmo after the game. The two teams will face each other again next Friday in Toronto.