Romar Dennis was the leading scorer in the inaugural Premier Lacrosse League Championship Series last year, so it was only fitting that he took on a star role as the 2024 edition kicked off.
The PLL Championship Series features the top four finishers from last summer’s regular season playing in the Olympic-style Sixes format.
Dennis buried a big two-pointer late in the game and then scored the game-winning goal in overtime as the California Redwoods edged the Boston Cannons 26-25 in the first of two games on Wednesday at the St. James in Springfield, Va.
The game-winning goal from @romardennis! @PLLRedwoods win game one of the Championship Series against the @PLLCannons. pic.twitter.com/jpLR7cwpvD
— Premier Lacrosse League (@PremierLacrosse) February 15, 2024
In the other opening night game, the Philadelphia Waterdogs led throughout and beat the Utah Archers 21-18.
A stellar individual effort by Marcus Holman looked like it might be enough for the Boston Cannons in the event’s first game. Holman had nine points, including three 2-pointers, his last 2-pointer coming with 1:17 remaining in regulation to tie the game after California had jumped out early in the final quarter.
A Dennis two-pointer flipped the game back in the Redwoods favor, but Matt Campbell answered Dennis’ bomb by hitting a two-pointer with 33 seconds left to tie it for the Cannons and send the game to overtime.
The overtime didn’t last long. Attackman Rob Pannell, who had five goals and a pair of assists, showed his versatility by winning the OT faceoff, one of three faceoff wins for him in four tries on the night – the Sixes format only has faceoffs at the start of quarters. Dennis scored his game-winner on the opening possession.
Dennis had 34 points, fueled by 15 2-pointers, in last year’s Championship Series, helping the Atlas to a runner-up finish to Chrome. His performance helped him kickstart a season in which he was named an All-Star during the PLL’s traditional summer season.
The second game was a rematch of last year’s summer championship game, but featured vastly different rosters from just a few months ago, particularly for the Archers.
The Waterdogs relied on a trio of their proven veterans – USA gold medalists Kieran McArdle, Ryan Conrad and Michael Sowers to beat the Archers. McArdle poured in 12 points on five goals (2 2-pointers) and three assists, Sowers had three goals and five assists and Conrad had a hat trick.
Ronan Jacoby had a team-high five points for the Archers, including this gem of a goal.
RONAN JACOBY YOU'RE NOT REAL
The former @RUmlax middie scores on this slick BTB goal 🤯 pic.twitter.com/XfLBZdOA3M— Premier Lacrosse League (@PremierLacrosse) February 15, 2024
The event takes a break on Thursday, but returns with another doubleheader on Friday. The two unbeaten teams, the Redwoods and Waterdogs, meet at 5:30 on ESPN2 and will be followed by the Archers against the Cannons at 7:30 on ESPN+.
