PLL Week 2 Recap: Parity on Full Display, Underdogs Rule the Weekend

The Premier Lacrosse League standings remain as tight as can be, with all eight teams posting a 1-1 record after two weeks. No team is undefeated or winless as league parity remains at an all-time high. 

Underdogs were the story of the weekend, as three teams pulled off upsets in Week 2.

CHAOS GOALIE TANDEM SECURES FIRST WIN FOR BROOKS

Score: Carolina Chaos 14, Boston Cannons 10

The Chaos earned their first regular-season win of the Steven Brooks era, overcoming Boston’s second-half comeback attempt and improving to 6-1 against the Cannons all-time. Chaos was the only favorite to win its matchup, covering the 1.5-point spread in a 14-10 victory.

After missing week one while on paternity leave, Blaze Riorden made his first start of the season and stopped eight shots in the opening half. However, his return was short-lived. Riorden exited the game after a half with what appeared to be a hand injury that he suffered diving on a run-out. 

Backup goalie Austin Kaut started the second half, and the Carolina defense was no worse for it. Kaut made seven saves, including robbing Boston’s Ben Ramsey on a breakaway attempt as time was winding down in the third quarter. Both goaltenders finished the day with a save percentage higher than 63 percent.

“[Kaut] came in the second half and gave us that catalyst of making big saves and making great plays,” Brooks said. “It’s really nice to have a one-two punch in goal.”

On Carolina’s offensive end, a bevy of weapons displayed their dodging prowess. Boston refused to slide early for most of the game and dared Carolina to beat them off the dodge. The Chaos obliged, with all but one of the team’s 14 points being unassisted. The lone assisted goal came in the fourth quarter with a beautiful feed from Brendan Nichtern to former Army teammate Jackson Eicher. Nichtern and Eicher led the team in scoring, each finishing with four points.

Despite the loss, Boston had some bright spots. The Cannons’ ride forced some key turnovers, with a couple leading to goals and helped propel their rally in the second half. Eight different Cannons recorded points, with second-year Coulter Mackesy leading the charge with six points

“[Coulter] is just very confident in his ability. He works very hard at his craft,” Cannons coach Brian Holman said. “Coulter’s going to be an All-Star in this league. He’s only going to get better and better.”

WHIPSNAKES DOUBLE-UP DEFENDING CHAMPS

Score: Maryland Whipsnakes 12, New York Atlas 6

The Whipsnakes earned another win over New York on Friday, doubling up the Atlas 12-6. It was Maryland’s fourth victory in the last five meetings with its Eastern Conference rival and 10th win in 13 games against the Atlas all-time.

Both Carrolls showed out for Maryland, as midfielder Aidan Carroll led the Whipsnakes with four goals and goaltender Emmet Carroll set career highs in saves (18) and save percentage (75%).

Whipsnakes head coach Jim Stagnitta commended both second-year players for their “hell of a night” and also praised rookies Jack Pilling, Joe Juengerkes and Truitt Sunderland as well.

“We had three rookies in there, two playing in their first game ever, against the defending champs.” Stagnitta said. “Those guys did a terrific job and held their own.”

Faceoff athlete Petey LaSalla was another spark plug, scoring his first career hat trick despite losing the faceoff battle to New York’s Nathan Laliberte.

“Petey can handle the ball, and as you saw, he can shoot the ball," Stagnitta said. "Even though his [faceoff] percentage probably wasn't where he would like it to be, he took advantage of some opportunities and made some plays.”

As for New York, the Atlas registered their lowest goals total since June 5, 2021m and shooting woes plagued the team throughout the game.

“We missed the cage 24 times today,” New York coach Mike Pressler said. “I thought we did a pretty good job defensively ... but if you only score six goals, in this league, you’re not beating anybody.”

New York can at least take solace in that it was missing three of its best players in Danny Logan, Jeff Teat and Trevor Baptiste. All three are on the PUP list following a long NLL season, but the hope is that they’ll be back for New York’s championship game rematch with Denver on May 30.

OUTLAWS OUTLAST REDWOODS

Score: Denver Outlaws 10, California Redwoods 9

After a disappointing season debut, Denver defeated California in a close matchup, 10-9. Both defenses came to play, as goalies Logan McNaney and Dillon Ward each finished with 15 saves.

“Our first quarter defensively wasn't great, but we bounced back and settled in,” McNaney said.

McNaney’s ability to make clean saves and convert those into transition chances going the other way was a difference-maker in particular. Short-stick defensive midfielder Zach Geddes had two goals early in the shot clock, and Denver’s fast break offense helped alleviate some of the struggles its settled offense has experienced with Pat Kavanagh still out of the lineup. 

Rookie midfielder Evan Plunkett also made an immediate impact in his Denver debut. While the former Army midfielder only had one assist, he generated seven shots and his presence opened up other members of the Outlaws offense.

“It was a team effort from all of the guys,” Outlaws coach Tim Soudan said.

California opened the game scoring six goals on 12 shots before being held to just one goal on their next 20 shots. The Redwoods scored two late goals to pull within one, but it was too little, too late for California.

“It’s frustrating,” Redwoods coach Anthony Kelly said. “You have to value every moment, and we didn’t do that today. … When you look at the stats, we out ground-balled them, we did a lot of things better on paper, but that doesn’t always translate the way you want.”

BOSTON BOUNCES BACK, BLOWS OUT RIVAL PHILLY

Score: Boston Cannons 19, Philadelphia Waterdogs 5

The most lopsided result of the weekend was also the most surprising. A week after the Waterdogs dropped 16 points on the Whipsnakes, Boston held Philadelphia to just five goals in a 19-5 blowout.

Marcus Holman continued his rise in the PLL record books, registering four goals and two assists, and second-year attackman Brian Kelly had five points starting in relief of Asher Nolting, who was a healthy scratch in Cannons’ second game of their doubleheader.

“Brian accomplished every offseason challenge that we posed,” Marcus Holman said. “His night was not surprising to our unit.”

Marcus Holman also reiterated Nolting’s importance to the offense.

“Asher’s a huge part of our organization. That’s a two-time MVP candidate,” Holman said. “We talked about just getting guys in the lineup, and it was cool to see Brian succeed tonight.”

The Boston defense was just as much the story. Boston goalie Colin Kirst followed a disappointing 35-percent save percentage against Carolina by stopping 80 percent of Philly’s shots on Saturday. It was a career-high for Kirst and the highest save percentage for a starting goalie since Brett Dobson held Carolina to a single goal (94.7%) on September 7, 2024.

“Defensively, we tightened the screws a bit,” head coach Brian Holman said when discussing the adjustments the team made between games. “It was nice that we could go back to the hotel, talk for a little bit and then wake up and be together. That was a huge advantage for us.”

As for the Waterdogs, their struggles on offense were even worse than the score indicates. Philly only put the ball in the back of the net four times, as one of the goals was a two-pointer from Connor Kelly. The Waterdogs were also an abysmal 0-for-6 on the power play.

“Kirst made some great saves, we took some bad shots ... and things kind of spiraled out of control,” Kieran McArdle said. “When things aren’t going our way, we can’t go to ‘me ball.’ We have to continue to work for good shots.”

The Philadelphia defense was also disappointing, with Matt DeLuca getting pulled early after stopping just 35 percent of shots on goal and allowing 16 scores. Former Army goaltender Sean Byrne appeared in relief, making three saves and allowing three goals in his PLL debut.

“They can shoot the lights out. We let them do what they wanted on offense,” head coach Bill Tierney said. “[DeLuca] is a great goalie and he’ll be fine. We just have to make sure we’re doing a better job of protecting him.”