Chayse Ierlan Punches Redwoods' Playoff Ticket

With a trip to the Premier Lacrosse League playoffs on the line, the Boston Cannons faced a 17-12 deficit in the fourth quarter of their pivotal matchup against the California Redwoods on Friday night.

They needed a spark, and they got one. Rookie Coulter Mackesy, who was moved to midfield after being a healthy scratch earlier in the season, scored three three goals during a five-goal run for Boston — leveling the score at 17 with 6:20 remaining.

The game went quiet for the next four minutes before Redwoods attackman Ryder Garnsey responded with a one-handed goal with 2:37 left. The Cannons had a golden opportunity to tie the score when midfielder Matt Campbell beat long-stick midfielder Jared Conners with five seconds remaining, but Chayse Ierlan made a show-stopping save with Campbell staring directly at him.

After the game, California head coach Anthony Kelly called Ierlan’s stop the “save of his career.” That career-best save was his only of the fourth quarter.

“I don’t think either goalie put up great numbers, it was just the nature of this game,” Kelly said. “I don’t think it was Chase’s best performance, but he had the save of his career at the end of the game. And that’s what we needed.”

Both Ierlan and Cannons goalie Colin Kirst struggled, as neither stopped 40 percent of their shots faced, but Ierlan secured the one that mattered most, sending the Redwoods to the playoffs.

“I don’t think anyone really gave us a chance,” Kelly said. “I think probably for good reason. We lost five in a row in the middle of the season, and these guys were able to turn it around. It feels really good.”

The Redwoods had five players register more than five points, with attackman Chris Kavanagh leading with six. Dylan Molloy scored four goals on just five shots, and rookie midfielder Aidan Danenza notched a career-high four goals while leading California with 10 shots.

“I think he’s just done a great job of having a positive mindset,” Kavanagh said about Danenza. “He’s been in and out of the lineup, and it’s tough being a fringe guy in this league because everyone’s so good, but he’s kind of the glue to our offense. He’s always asking, ‘What can I do for you guys? How do you want picks set?’”

Redwoods defensive midfielder Brian Tevlin also had a career-best game, forcing five turnovers on top of scoring a goal in the first quarter.

California will face the Carolina Chaos on Aug. 23 in Minneapolis during the first round of the playoffs, while the Cannons have another chance to earn a spot on Saturday. They’ll face the Maryland Whipsnakes at 7 p.m. Whichever team wins that game earns the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

“You quickly have to decompress,” Cannons head coach Brian Holman said. “You’ve got to put that in the back of your mind as quickly as possible. My job and the coaches’ jobs over the next, [24] hours will be to get these guys mentally and physically, spiritually ready to accept the next challenge.”

Archers end season on high note

With the Carolina Chaos locked into the playoffs and the Utah Archers out of contention, Friday night’s game between them meant nothing more than pride and seeding for the 2026 PLL Draft.

Still, the game was tight throughout and came down to the last second as neither side led by more than three goals.

The Archers’ fourth-quarter performance was enough to get them over the hump as they prevailed 11-10. They outscored the Chaos 4-1 during that span with attackman Mac O’Keefe scoring a crucial two-point goal, which earned a 10-9 lead.

O’Keefe led with five points, which was a season high. After the game, Archers head coach Chris Bates said O’Keefe looked healthier during Friday’s game compared to the rest of his season.

Bates will never use it as an excuse, but the injury bug hit Utah harder than any other team this year. Attackman Matt Moore and faceoff specialist Mike Sisselberger were both placed on IR early in the season, and Tom Schreiber and Grant Ament also missed significant time.

Midfielder Tre Leclaire also wasn’t able to suit up until week six. The Archers elected to not dress a faceoff specialist on Friday.

“It’s good to get a win, especially at the end of the season,” Archers midfielder Ryan Ambler said. “It wasn’t the way we wanted to end the season, but I was proud of the way we played tonight. Odd circumstances, but to compete with all these guys is the best thing ever.”

This was the third year in a row that Utah’s season has ended in a win, but that win the past two seasons was in the PLL championship game.

Friday’s result means the Archers will pick at either the No. 1 or No. 2 spot in the 2026 Draft. If the Whipsnakes lose to the Cannons on Saturday, Maryland will be rewarded the No. 1 pick — but if they win, the Archers will earn it.

That scenario would be the first time Utah has picked No. 1 overall since the inaugural PLL draft in 2019. Utah selected Pat Spencer, who never suited up for the team after eventuallyearning a spot on the Golden State Warriors.

Midfielder Shane Knobloch stood out for the Chaos, scoring four points for the second time in his young career. Knobloch has only played in four games this regular season due to a hamstring injury but looks to be in great shape heading into the playoffs.

“Knowing Knobby’s hamstring is going to hold up and he’s going to be able to play makes us a more dangerous team,” Chaos’ head coach Roy Colsey said.