Pat McCabe has called his New York Saints a work in

progress. He knows the team is young and inexperienced. He knows the amount of

roster turnover during the past year has affected team chemistry. And he knows

six straight losses to open a season is about as frustrating as it can get.

But McCabe, in his first year as coach, never wavers about the future of

the Saints. He has insisted that the franchise will turn the corner and become

a winner - and it's not just window dressing.

The Saints left Colorado last week with an ugly six-goal loss and a bunch

of battered egos. The sixth-largest crowd in National Lacrosse League history,

18,280, witnessed the Colorado blowout and the fourth-quarter brawls that led

to Saints defenseman Tom Naglieri's being fined and suspended for the rest of

the season.

The Saints got some payback in the back end of the home-and-home

doubleheader with Colorado last night. Chris Driscoll scored seven goals and

added four assists as the Saints pounded first-place Colorado, 20-12, before a

crowd of 4,432 at Nassau Coliseum.

"Our guys took it very personal after the first Colorado game," said Saints

owner Mike Gongas, who will appeal Naglieri's suspension. "They attacked our

dignity and showed us no respect after they won. What's that they say? Let a

sleeping dog lie? Well, they awoke the Saint Bernard."

The Saints' mascot, Bernie the St. Bernard, had plenty to howl about as New

York (1-6) broke into the win column the same night it introduced Doug

Shanahan, a Hofstra All-American and Team USA all-star.

Shanahan moved from forward to help anchor a defense that held Colorado to

six goals fewer than its average. He teamed with Brian Spallina, Matt McFarland

and brothers Armando and Nicky Polanco to keep the Mammoths under wraps.

"Our guys are starting to pick up the indoor game," McCabe said. "I know we

can play, and if we execute the game plan and control the field, we can win."

Added Driscoll, "We took good shots and the power play is coming together.

We're starting to click. I think everyone took last week's loss at Colorado

personal, and that's good. There was a lot of pride in winning this game."

SAINTS 20

COLORADO 12

 

Feb. 16

Saints at Buffalo

4 p.m.

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