Mammoth goaltender Erik Miller is one of only a precious few American-born goaltenders who have excelled in the NLL. Miller looks back on a successful first year in Colorado, and the expectations that lie ahead.
It has often been said that in the sport of lacrosse there is one position that truly is the �Last Defense.� In the National Lacrosse League (NLL) the saying is no different as the goaltenders for each club are the true anchor to any squad�s defense. There is one player in particular who knows quite well about not only playing under the extreme pressure but, furthermore coming out on top and that is Colorado Mammoth net minder Erik Miller.

The Baltimore, Maryland native who has been playing professional indoor lacrosse for five seasons saw his first action in 1999 and started every game last season. Miller knows full well about the challenges that come along with his job.

�I think that the goaltender position can make or break a game,� Miller said. �Goalies make the biggest impact in the sport of lacrosse.�

Last season Miller and the Mammoth made the move to Denver, Colorado where they were met with crowds in excess of more than 16,000 fans per game at Pepsi Center, which according to Miller helped lessen the tension for both him and the entire team.

�It definitely helped lessen the pressure, because it is so easy to play in front of 18,000 fans who give us more support and our opponents more pressure,� Miller said.

The Mammoth finished their 2002-03 season with a 9-7 record, an Eastern Division title and advanced to the semi-finals of the Champion�s Cup Playoffs before falling to the eventual champion Toronto Rock.

As for Miller�s personal stats, he played in all 16 regular season contests, posting a Goals Against Average of 13.09. Miller recorded 529 saves to rank third among all goalies. As a contributor to the offense, he was credited with 23 assists last season, ranking fifth on his team.

The 6�5 228 pound Miller has also enjoyed success on the collegiate level as well after attending NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) Division III powerhouse Salisbury State and winning the 1994 Division III championship. For his efforts he was named Championship Game Most Valuable Player, D-III Goalkeeper of the Year and a first team All-American. Prior to his time as a member of the Sea Gulls squad, he also attended Essex Community College, winning an NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association) Championship.

�As great as it is to play in front of the Denver crowds it is also amazing to play in the spectacle of the NCAA Championships,� he added.

So after five strong seasons Miller has now moved out to Denver and is primed for the upcoming 2003-04 NLL season to be the Mammoth�s best yet.

�I think this season is going to be better than it was last year due to both the fan support which will make the Mammoth tickets a hard one to get and in addition the amount of players who have relocated out to Denver,� Miller stated.  So far, so good.  Erik is on his way to claiming bragging rights as the best American indoor goalie ever.