Atlas Take Advantage of Ierlan Exit, Archers Look Like Themselves Again

After a 16-12 loss to the New York Atlas on Friday, California Redwoods head coach Anthony Kelly reiterated the same message he has to his team all season.

“All we can do is focus on today, focus on us,” he said. “We’re not worried about what’s happening around us; we know it’s a tight race. Every game matters, every goal matters. … We’re still in this thing, and next week’s probably the biggest game of the season.”

The loss drops the Woods to 2-5 and to the bottom of the Western Conference ahead of a pivotal in-conference matchup against the Utah Archers. A win next week will keep the Redwoods in playoff position.

California missed third-overall pick Sam English, who is dealing with a sprained ankle, and had to play the second half without faceoff specialist TD Ierlan. Before leaving with a concussion, Ierlan dominated the league leader in faceoff percentage, winning 16 of his 21 draws against Trevor Baptiste.

Nine of California’s 10 first-half goals came after a win from Ierlan, and the Redwoods struggled to replicate that same success in a slower-tempo offense. On the other side of the field, California had five penalties, resulting in four power-play goals for New York.

The loss of Ierlan was too much to overcome, and the Atlas outscored the Redwoods 6-2 with him off the field. Redwoods general manager Joe Spallina joined the postgame press conference and encouraged his team to keep a “positive outlook.”

“I think it’s one of those things in pro lacrosse you just gotta get it. Get hot at the right time, get healthy, you just got to get it,” Spallina said. “I don’t think there’s been one game this season [when] we’re outclassed on the field. So if there’s a break here or a break there, the things that are going against us now could be in our favor in three weeks.”

Atlas attackman Connor Shellenberger continued to make a push for the MVP with his second consecutive seven-point performance, which were all assists. His partner in crime, Xander Dickson, had a first-half hat trick and finished with four points.

After the game, Dickson praised his current and former teammate at Virginia’s ability to be an elite goal scorer one week and an elite passer the next.

“It’s one of the main reasons why I think he’s going to end his career as one of the greatest to ever do it because he’s so versatile,” he said. “We’ve seen him take over games last week, five goals, two assists. And they played him as a scorer today and he can just unload for seven assists.”

Archers hold off Chaos

On a three-game losing streak and at risk of remaining at the bottom of the Western Conference, the Archers looked like their old championship-winning selves, jumping out to an 8-0 lead through the game’s first 14 minutes.

Long-stick midfielder Mason Woodward had a pair of two-pointers in the first half to claim that lead, but Carolina methodically roared back into the game. The Chaos went on a 5-1 run, which was capped by a goal from Ross Scott with just two seconds remaining in the first half.

After outscoring the Archers 5-3 in the second half, Scott came up clutch again. He scored with 1:34 remaining to bring Utah’s lead within one goal, but the Chaos turned the ball over after winning the next faceoff and the Archers prevailed 12-11.

Carolina head coach Roy Colsey acknowledged his team’s habit of digging themselves into deep holes early in games. The Chaos trailed 7-3 in the first half last week before mounting a comeback and also trailed 4-1 the prior week against the Cannons.

“I think every game we’re getting more comfortable,” Colsey said. “I think to be down as much as we were ... to give up nine goals in a half and then three in the second half, that’s a phenomenal effort. We’re capable of doing that for longer stretches of time.”

After Archers midfielder Dyson Williams scored 31 seconds into the second half, Utah went on a scoring drought of 12:45. The Archers have had at least an 11-minute long scoring drought in each game this season. Still, the team’s defense held strong, as it has all season, and the Chaos only scored two goals during that time.

Two of the world’s best goalies facing each other on opposite ends of the field did not disappoint. Utah goalie Brett Dobson was lights out, stopping 17 shots on a 60.7-percent save efficiency, and Chaos goalie Blaze Riodern saved 15 shots on a 60-percent save efficiency.

“He’s just a clutch goalie,” Archers head coach Chris Bates said. “He’s a great leader, he’s a great teammate. … he’s a championship goalie. That’s a dude whose won two rings and is going to win more.”

Rookie Carolina attackman Owen Hiltz showed his renowned prowess as a shooter but also had flashes as a dodger, as he led the game with seven points. Friday marks his third consecutive game with at least four points.

“He is already a phenomenal player, and every time he steps on the field, he gets a little bit more comfortable,” Colsey said. “I think we’re in for a real treat, and we’re really glad to have him on our offense.”

The Archers’ win allowed them to leapfrog the Chaos in the West ahead of their doubleheader in Utah next week. Both of those games will be against conference foes, as they face California on Friday and Denver on Saturday.