Farmingdale goalie Palmer makes 11 saves

CICERO, N.Y. -- Mike Palmer's strategy is simple: clear his mind, then fill his stick.

Farmingdale's senior goalie made 11 saves in the Dalers' 12-11 overtime boys lacrosse win over Ithaca Saturday at Cicero-North Syracuse High.

In a game that was tied five times in the second half, even one slip-up could've cost Farmingdale the game. Palmer didn't think about it.

"Once we break the huddle, my mind goes blank," Palmer said. "I just focus and I get in the zone."

Peppered with shots from the very beginning, Palmer stood tall in the cage and made a few highlight-reel saves.

With less than three minutes left in the third, Palmer sprawled to make a stop and ended on his tush.

But his most important save came with 1:56 left in regulation as he took a shot off his legs, one of many body parts he utilized to block shots.

"You've got to take every shot like it's the last shot," he said. "If it goes in, you just take it out, throw it to the ref. Once it goes on the board, you can't take it away."

The 42 seconds of overtime seemed to be the only moments Palmer got a pass.

Ithaca won the faceoff to begin the extra period, but the Dalers' defense forced a turnover on its only possession.

As usual, Palmer, who didn't become the full-time starter until midway through the season, was the first to credit the guys who protect him.

"Our defense, our pole middie Kevin Wahl, and Jojo Ostrander are amazing," Palmer said. "The whole team played great."

So did Palmer, who has come up big in Farmingdale's playoff run. He had a key save in overtime against West Islip in the Long Island final, and posted 11 in Wednesday's semifinal.

Said midfielder Patrick Starke: "Mikey Palmer really stepped up in goal and made some big saves."