Unleashing Greatness: Paul Gait's Unforgettable Championship Display
The Unlikely Hero: Paul Gait's Record-Setting Feat
A quarter-century ago, lacrosse maestro Paul Gait etched his name in history by scoring an unprecedented seven goals in a championship game. What makes this achievement even more remarkable is that he accomplished it while battling multiple injuries—including two sprained ankles and a persistent back problem—and using an unconventional setup: a basic, non-offset head stick with a women's pocket. This pivotal game marked only his sixth appearance at the attack position, and his very first as a starter. For Gait, whose reputation preceded him, such an extraordinary display was simply par for the course.
The Dawn of Professional Lacrosse and the Lizards' Triumph
The year 2001 heralded the inaugural Major League Lacrosse Championship, where the Long Island Lizards triumphed 15-11. This historic event, held at Kennedy Stadium in Connecticut before a crowd of 6,745 and broadcast on Fox Sports Network, signaled the nascent stages of professional field lacrosse. The league was a stark contrast to today's Premier Lacrosse League (PLL), which now commands a national audience on major networks like ABC. Gait, reflecting on that memorable day, recalled feeling an undeniable connection with the net, stating, "I couldn't miss that day." Historical accounts from the Baltimore Sun and the broadcast confirm his near-perfect shooting, with Gait himself remembering his seven goals as a seven-for-eight effort.
The Legacy of the Long Island Lizards: A Team of Stars
The Long Island Lizards, guided by coach John DeTommaso and owned by Joe DeSimone and the Bishop Family, stand enshrined as the pioneering MLL/PLL champions. Their roster was a constellation of lacrosse luminaries, including the iconic Gait brothers, Tim Goettelmann, Pat McCabe, Casey Powell, John Gagliardi, Terry Riordan, and Sal LoCascio, among many others. Joe DeSimone eloquently captured the team's spirit in an Instagram post commemorating their journey, noting, "We loved lacrosse. We didn't say no. And we got to be there at the start of something."
Overcoming Obstacles: The Gait Brothers' Arrival and Paul's MVP Moment
The recruitment of Paul and Gary Gait was not without its challenges. Given the league's partnership with Warrior, there were concerns about Gary's existing endorsement with STX and Paul's allegiances to his own brand or deBeer. Furthermore, Paul's ankles were still recovering from a demanding 2000 season with Team Toyota. Yet, the Lizards, a team primarily built around Long Island Lacrosse Club players, successfully secured the legendary brothers. Paul, despite his late entry into the season and starting only in the championship game, humorously remarked after being named MVP, "This is for all the sixth-rounders out there."
From Midfield Maestro to Attack Prodigy: Paul's Tactical Shift
Paul Gait joined the Lizards with the intention of making one final significant mark before the 2002 World Championships. His season began late, and he wasn't a starter until the championship match, serving primarily as the fourth attackman. Recounting his transition to attack, a position he hadn't played in two decades, Gait exclaimed, "I'd never played attack before. It's my first year playing attack in 20 years. So I was like, 'Holy cow, this is easy.'" He marveled at the simplicity of receiving passes and shooting, a stark contrast to the midfield role where he felt compelled to orchestrate every play. Interestingly, Gait revealed that he had initially trained as an attackman during his preseason at Syracuse, only to be moved to midfield by coach Roy Simmons just a week before the season began.
Innovation on the Field: Paul Gait's Unique Equipment
Due to the league's sponsorship agreements, Paul Gait was unable to use his preferred equipment. Instead, he improvised with a modest $29 basic, non-offset Warrior head. He customized it with a women's tracker pocket, a design he was developing at the time for both men's and women's play. Furthermore, he was concurrently working on a lightweight facemask for Cascade, which led him to wear what he described as "the ugliest facemask you've ever seen" during the championship.
A Farewell to Professional Field Lacrosse and an Enduring Legacy
In the aftermath of the 2001 MLL Championship, Gait humorously declared he won it "for the old guys." At 33, he had already achieved a lifetime of accolades in the sport. He briefly played for the Boston Cannons the following year before concluding his professional field lacrosse career. The Lizards, his former team, went on to secure another title in 2003. Gait's philosophy, shared during the Fox Sports broadcast, resonated deeply: "You never know when it can be your last game. So you play like every game is your last game." His twin brother, Gary, continued his illustrious journey as a player and coach, with the PLL's Midfielder of the Year Award now bearing their name. Paul humbly acknowledged Gary's unparalleled contributions, contrasting it with his own injury-prone career. He reflected, "There's no one that's done more than Gary. I mean, he's coaching, he's MVP of everything, and I was just happy to support that and be part of it. I was more of a streaky player, so I had lots of games where I played big numbers and won MVPs with games and stuff like that. My problem was I was always injured."
The Modern Era of Lacrosse and Gait's Continued Influence
The upcoming PLL Championship, set to take place at Sports Illustrated Stadium near New York City, will be broadcast nationally on ABC, drawing hundreds of thousands of viewers to a league now intertwined with major global brands. Gait's championship goals record has remained unbroken for a quarter-century, spanning two leagues. While seven goals is a challenging benchmark, it's not insurmountable, especially with the caliber of talent on display, including four Tewaaraton candidates for the Outlaws and two MVP contenders for the Waterdogs. Paul Gait, despite currently facing paralysis from the waist down due to a fall, remains an avid observer and innovator. He continues to push boundaries, much like the league itself, and echoes the pioneering spirit he and Gary embodied 25 years ago: "We looked at the rules, and if there was no rule for something, we do it.
