|
Player Spotlight highlights the finer details and elements while supplying insight to the fans on what a player's thought process may be pertaining to a certain play, game or situation. It brings the intensity, passion, and inner most thoughts of the individual player that otherwise may not be felt or heard. |
|
Now in his 10th pro season, the Rochester Knighthawks' Tim Soudan is enjoying his finest year yet. The 32-year-old University of Massachusetts product had three goals and three assists Saturday night to lead his team to a crucial 16-13 win over the archrival Buffalo Bandits at the Rochester War Memorial. He now has 22 goals and 13 assists for 35 points in nine games. He's within one point of his career-best season. It took him 12 games last year to tally 36 points. The Knighthawks won their second straight after a rare three-game losing streak and are right in the hunt for a playoff spot at 5-4. Tim was interviewed by PLPA correspondent Tom Borrelli. | |
 |
How big was the victory over Buffalo? |
 |
The bottom line is that it was huge for us. It was a game we had to have and we came together and got the job done.
|
|
|
The Knighthawks were outshot, 56-39, but Pat O'Toole came up big with 43 saves. How important was his effort? |
|
|
He just made it look so easy. I found myself waiting for them (the Bandits) to start shooting better, but it turns out they were shooting pretty good to begin with. It's just that the way Pat was playing, you couldn't tell.
|
|
|
Why has this been a breakout year for you? |
|
|
This year I'm just seeing the net so much better. My problems before were just that I thought too much. Now when I have an opportunity I just look at the net and get rid of it. I'm just one of those seasons where someone's been in my corner.
|
|
|
When did you begin your turnaround? |
|
|
I finished last season strong and came into this year with confidence. I knew that I had to come out and do things to make us work hard as a 10-year player, like score goals and get to more loose balls.
|
|
|
What's turned this season around for the Knighthawks? |
|
|
We got together after our last loss at home (against Albany). We started bonding as a team. We talked and had several practices that helped us out. Then we took a bus to Pittsburgh (a 17-12 win) and that was a key. We really came together on that trip. We don't play a lot of games but it is a long season. We're coming together. We haven't reached our peak yet.
|
|
|
Is the game as much fun now as it was when you first started in the Major Indoor Lacrosse League? |
|
|
I actually think it's a little more fun now because I understand the game better now. When I first started, there was a bunch of American guys trying to figure out this indoor game. I've had a lot of good teachers along the way.
|
|
|
What's the biggest difference in the league now? |
|
|
Probably the maturity of the league. The American guys who have stayed around have really honed their box skills. College kids are going into Canada and playing in the summers now to hone their skills. You can see that in how competitive the league is now.
|
|
|
What's the most fun part of the game for you? |
|
|
Being out here with the team and being able to release some of the energy you build up working all week.
|
|
|
What makes your home arena so special to play in? |
|
|
It just has a lot of energy. It's really a special place. My family and friends can come out and watch me play and it's a great time. Especially when we're winning.
|
|
|
Is having six teams still alive for a playoff spot good for the league? |
|
|
It's absolutely fantastic. The league's gaining momentum and a good, close race is one thing that helps put people in the seats. You can't have just three powerhouse teams. When you get to the point where a lot of teams are competitive, they're going to stay competitive when we expand.
|
| PLPA Correspondent Tom Borrelli, fell in love with lacrosse while writing for his school campus paper "The Record" as a student at Buffalo State College in 1977. He has seen and covered over 1000 games at all levels which includes the Buffalo Bandits for the Buffalo News since their inception in 1991, NCAA Tournament games, Final Four Championships, upstate New York schools games, the Canadian Mann Cup Championship, the OLA Major Box Lacrosse Series, the Buffalo Gamblers of the OLA Major Series and high school events. Tom presently writes for the Buffalo News and does extensive feature writing for Lacrosse Magazine and Inside Lacrosse. Between pro box, college and high school field and OLA box lacrosse Tom attends about 50 to 60 games a year (and Dick Vitale thinks he has it made with hoops!) The PLPA is happy to have Tom on board as a contributing writer for the Player Spotlight. |
|