June 10, 2004
BOSTON -- Just 20 minutes before game time, just two days after being selected in the 2004 MLL Collegiate Draft and just two weeks after playing his last game at the University of Maryland, Chris Passavia was handed his assignment from his new coach, Cannons head coach Scott Hiller. Stop Casey Powell.
"I was probably a little nervous and a little excited," Passavia said. "Being so close to game time, I didn't really have a chance to get too nervous. Before I knew it, I had my stick on his glove."
And such was the auspicious beginning of Chris Passavia's MLL career, a career Cannons fans hope will find him on the giving end of many more stick and body checks to come. A career Cannons fans hope results in many more big game performances against big game players.
Although short on MLL experience, Passavia showed he was up for the challenge and quickly proved he belonged alongside the world's best. He played a spectacular game, holding Powell, who led the league in scoring last season, to just three goals and one assist. Passavia was named this season's first Cascade Rookie of the Week for his efforts.
It's been a whirlwind couple of weeks for Passavia. His MLL debut came just two weeks after his last college game with the University of Maryland. After graduating with a major in psychology, the Cannons took Passavia with the sixth overall pick in the MLL Collegiate Draft, and two days later he was on the field in Boston alongside the likes of Conor Gill and Ryan Curtis.
"I haven't really had a chance to reflect on things too much," Passavia said.
In his four years at Maryland, Passavia established himself as one of the fiercest and most athletic defenders in the game. He was named an All-American each of the last three seasons and was a key player on one of the best defensive units in the college game.
This year, Passavia was one of Maryland's captains and led the Terrapins to a victory over archrival Virginia to win the Atlantic Coast Conference championship, moving on to the NCAA tournament before falling in the quarterfinals. He caused 51 turnovers this season to lead the team.
The MLL game, though, has several notable differences from the college game, including several rule changes designed to favor offense, which can make it difficult for defensemen to adjust to the pros. Passavia seemed to have no problem adjusting, though, and noted that the higher level of play means defensemen need to be more alert.
"Everyone's able to use the full extent of the field," Passavia said. "You can't afford to leave guys looking at cutters. If you're not paying attention, you can get in trouble."
Passavia is known for his tenacity, and he found himself in penalty trouble early in the game. He earned himself two trips to the penalty box in the first quarter for slashing and cross checking, and received another slashing penalty in the fourth quarter.
Despite his early time in the box, Passavia is ready to adjust and is looking forward to playing in the more physical MLL.
"I've heard from guys in the league that the MLL was a place you could play aggressively," Passavia said. "I think it favors my style of play, I just have to play more intelligently."
Passavia's performance in his debut has likely earned him more playing time in this weekend's tilt with the Long Island Lizards. Saturday's match-up is the first of a home-and-home series with the defending champion Lizards. In these games, he'll be up against the likes of Tim Goettelman and reigning league MVP Jay Jalbert.
Cannons fans will be watching to see if Passavia can build on his impressive debut and establish himself as an important cog in the Cannons defense.
By Brad Kasnet, Boston Cannons
