Film Study on Ricky Miezan’s Professional Debut
By Jerome Taylor
PLL Analyst
Feb 16, 2024
Romar Dennis put Ricky Miezan’s talent into perspective during a press conference before the start of the Championship Series:
“I think you hear a lot about how big and athletic he is, but he’s truly skilled, he shoots it, he cuts… and I think that people miss that part,” Dennis said. “At one point, he was the number one recruit in the country, so he’s a great all-around lacrosse player, and this is a great event for you to get your groove back after spending four years of playing football.”
In the first quarter, Miezan proved Dennis’ point, and throughout his professional debut, he provided glimpses of how impressive he could be in the sixes format.
Let’s look at how the ex-Stanford football captain registered 3 points (2G, 1A) in the ‘Woods’ 26-25 overtime victory over the Cannons.
Ricky Miezan’s First Goal
Miezan's first professional touch came on his second shift. And the moment he got out of the box, he showed how explosive he could be with the ball in his stick.
With a head of steam from the midfield line, he blew past Matt Campbell and got a good look at the goal but put his shot just wide of the net.
By his fourth shift, Miezan found the back of the net and brought Dennis’ words about his shooting to life.
After a Jules Heningburg dodge forced Brian Tevlin’s defender to slide, Nakeie Montgomery found Tevlin, who relocated to the slot. Tevlin kicked the pass out to Miezan, who finished with a low-to-high heater.
By his fourth shift, Miezan found the back of the net and brought Dennis’ words about his shooting to life.
After a Jules Heningburg dodge forced Brian Tevlin’s defender to slide, Nakeie Montgomery found Tevlin, who relocated to the slot. Tevlin kicked the pass out to Miezan, who finished with a low-to-high heater.
Ricky Miezan’s Second Goal
Toward the end of the first quarter, Miezan was threatening for his second goal, and again, it wasn’t due to his oft-talked-about speed or strength.
This time, he walked Ryan Drenner slightly upfield to the ball before cutting off his back, and if it weren’t for Colin Kirst’s magic, he would’ve had his second goal.
When Miezan scored his second goal, well, it was because he was one of the strongest and fastest players on the field.
Off the face-off, the ex-Cardinal ran away from the Cannons double team through X, where Bubba Fairman met him on the other side of the goal. Let’s just say that before Miezan made the scoreboard move, he showed the lacrosse world that he wasn’t wasting time in the Arrillaga Weight Room.
Room for Improvement
It wasn’t all good for the rookie, though. He did lead the team in turnovers (3) for the game. One came after he bull-dodged Matt Kavanagh on the clear, and Marcus Holman got away with a questionable no-call.
Another came when he was stripped from behind after getting swarmed by three Cannons. But the most teachable turnover came in the third quarter. After getting past two defenders, he didn’t have the angle to shoot and threw the ball away, trying to get it back up to Brian Tevlin.
Regardless of that minor lapse, Miezan’s debut was a success. It was filled with the strength and speed most people expected to see, but his skill, which might’ve been overlooked, was also on display. Now, we’ll see what he does for an encore against the Waterdogs on Friday.
