BOSTON, Mass.– Major League Lacrosse, the premier professional outdoor lacrosse league, announced Monday that Long Island Lizards goalkeeper Drew Adams has been named as the 2012 Warrior MLL Goalkeeper of the Year, according to MLL Commissioner David Gross. The award was based on the votes submitted by the head coach and general manager of each of the League’s eight teams.
Adams becomes the third player in MLL history to win the award in back-to-back years. Goalkeeper Greg Cattrano of the Baltimore Bayhawks earned the honor in 2001 and 2002 while Philadelphia Barrage netminder Brian Dougherty was selected as the Goalkeeper of the Year in 2006 and 2007.
"It's a huge honor. Winning this award last year was bittersweet because we didn't make the playoffs," says Adams, who will look to make a championship run this weekend with the Lizards. "This award is a testament to our team. We had a new group this year, especially on the defensive end, and they did a great job and put me in a position to play well. It's not an easy league to be a goalie in, so this is a huge honor."
A starter in all 14 games for the Lizards, Adams led Long Island to an 8-6 record. He ranked fourth in the MLL with an 11.91 goals against average while stopping 52.0 per cent of the shots he has faced. With 179 saves, he ranked third in the MLL.
Adams posted at least 10 saves in 11 games, including a season-high 17 saves in a victory over Charlotte on May 12. In addition, he posted 16 saves in a one-goal victory over the Boston Cannons on June 9 and earned Bud Light MLL Player of the Game honors.
A four-year MLL veteran, Adams has made 504 saves in his career while posting a .534 save percentage with an 11.72 goals against average.
“Warrior would like to congratulate Drew on an outstanding season and for winning his second consecutive Goalie of the Year award,” said Dave Dixon, Warrior Chief Marketing Officer. “The honor showcases his tremendous personal effort on the field and we are proud to present this award to him.”
The MLL Championship Weekend presented by Warrior will be held on August 25 and 26 at Harvard Stadium. The top-seeded Denver Outlaws will face the fourth-seeded Long Island Lizards in the first semi-final at 1 p.m. before the second-seeded Chesapeake Bayhawks will play against the defending MLL champion Boston Cannons, who earned the third seed, in the second semi-final at approximately 4 p.m.