Copperheads Top 5 Most Memorable Moments (so far)

by Jimmy Brunner

The Charlotte Copperheads 2012 season has been filled with exciting twists and turns. Everyone involved with the Copperheads is proud to have been a part of the 2012 season and it is hard to believe it will be ending on Saturday, but we look forward to seeing the great Charlotte fans in 2013 and beyond. Without further ado, here are our Top 5 Most Memorable Moments:

5. Where would the 2012 season be without its beginning? Though the Copperheads fell to the Jacksonville Bullies in their first home game on September 22nd, just seeing the home debut happen was a long time coming for the many dedicated fans, players, and front office staff who worked hard and put in so much time and effort to make the dream of a box lacrosse team in Charlotte a reality.

4. Sam Bradman, a former Division III National Player of the Year at Salisbury, was highly touted as a top prospect who could play at any level, and it was certainly a coup by the Charlotte Copperheads to see him make his professional debut in Charlotte on October 12th. “The Most Interesting Man in Lacrosse” performed a hat trick in his first game as a Copperhead and showed fans why he is destined for greatness.

3. The Copperheads first ever regular season game (and first game in PLL history) on September 15th in Jacksonville resulted in a victory for Charlotte, a recurring theme for the 2012 season. Goalies Brad Conlon and Tory Stevens each played a half as Matt Hickman scored four goals while Ethan Farrell, Greg Rogowski, and Nick Cotter each had three. The fans in Jacksonville that night saw the first glimpses of what would quickly become a well-oiled machine.

2.  At their last game against the Rockets on November 9th in Reading, Matt Hickman had a night to remember. The 26 year old from Maryland performed a ‘sock trick’, which is known in lacrosse as being double the traditional hat trick. Hickman scored an incredible seven goals as the Copperheads rolled to a 16-12 victory.

1. Down 9-5 at the half on November 3rd against the Reading Rockets, the Copperheads went on an incredible tear that sent the Charlotte crowd into a frenzy as they racked up points and received a standing ovation as the final buzzer signified their 14-11 comeback victory. Goalie Brad Conlon came off the bench and allowed only two goals in the entire second half as Ethan Farrell, Matt Hickman, Ryan Hotaling, Kevin Iwanusa, and Sam Bradman put the Copperheads ahead as each player scored multiple goals in an exciting conclusion to the Copperheads last home game of their inaugural season.