Rob Pannell Breaks Paul Rabil's Career Points Record

“Relief.”

That was the word Rob Pannell used multiple times when describing his feelings following the goal that made him the all-time points leader in pro field lacrosse history. 

The Maryland Whipsnakes attackman entered Friday’s game against his former team, the California Redwoods, needing just four points to break Paul Rabil’s all-time points record of 657.

Pannell not only finished the game with the record, but added a couple of more points for good measure, bringing his points total to 660 in a 20-7 victory at Rafferty Stadium in Fairfield, Conn.

“I definitely got a little emotional on the field because of how much this has worn on me,” Pannell explained. “I don’t know how much lacrosse I have left in me and just want to have fun with my teammates and focus on winning games.”

“I knew he probably felt relieved. He’s been having someone walk a foot behind him since training camp,” Whipsnakes coach Jim Stagnitta said with a laugh. “He asked me ‘Are they going to keep doing this?’ and I said ‘I think until you set the record.’”

Pannell’s desire to break the record on Friday was evident from the opening whistle.

It only took Pannell 34 seconds to score the first goal of the game on a backhanded shot from his favorite spot around the crease. Pannell opened up the scoring in the second quarter as well with a right-to-left split dodge down the alley, burying his second goal of the game. The record-tying point came right before halftime on an assist to Collin Heacock.

When the second half started, Pannell once again wasted no time. Less than two minutes into the third quarter, Pannell made a well-timed cut towards the goal and scored on a feed from TJ Malone. He scored two more goals after that, including one on his signature question mark dodge, and finished with six points in the win.

Pannell was grateful to have roughly 50 family members, friends and former teammates witness his historic moment.

“It was very special. I had a bunch of family and friends. My wife was in the stands and my nieces and nephews all came in hopes that it would happen,” Pannell said. “There was a little added pressure. I wanted to do it tonight because they were here.”

Watching an all-time great player break another great’s record is something fans gravitate to, regardless of the sport. Whether it’s LeBron James surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar or Alex Ovechkin passing Wayne Gretzky, the anticipation and excitement of watching an athlete approach the eventual record-breaking moment is almost as satisfying as the eventual moment itself.

Yet, for the athlete, the journey of setting a new record is filled with plenty of mixed emotions.

“I’m glad I don’t have to think about it anymore because I do think it became a bit of a distraction… I’m really glad this is over,” Pannell said. “I love this group of guys and just being around them, and, for the past couple of weeks, this was taking away from that a bit.”

However, Stagnitta saw the moment itself as a positive for the team.

“I was happy for our team. Watching all these young guys we have. They were so excited for Rob and to be a part of it,” Stagnitta said. “I’m sure he’s really proud, and he’ll look back on it as a great accomplishment. But I know in his mind he’s thinking, ‘Let’s go. Let’s finish this thing up.’”

For the past few weeks, it felt inevitable that Pannell would break the record. Yet, that wasn’t always the case. When Pannell signed with the Whipsnakes in free agency ahead of the 2025 season, he wasn’t guaranteed a starting spot.

“I was at a point in my career where I knew I didn’t have many years left. I felt like I needed a change and wanted to be in a position with a team and coaching staff to win a championship,” Pannell said. “Coach Stags told me I was going to have to fight for my spot. It was a bit of motivation that I think I needed at this point in my career.”

Pannell credited Stagnitta for helping him elevate his game to an even higher level.

“We still talk about what I need to do better… He holds us to a high level. It’s definitely allowed me to improve in different ways,” Pannell said. “I’m scoring off-ball goals. I never used to score off-ball goals.”

Pannell also expressed his gratitude towards his former teammate whose record he broke.

“I had a conversation with Paul [Rabil] two weeks ago, and we had a great conversation,” Pannell said. “It’s probably an interesting feeling for him, so I appreciate everything he said to me, supporting me and giving me the opportunity to still play this game.”

With the record now in the rearview mirror, Pannell continues to take a “week-by-week” approach as he focuses on his ultimate goal of winning a PLL championship.

“What I try to do these days is be more present where I am and not think too far ahead,” Pannell said. “I’m excited to focus on winning games. We have a little bit of momentum here, so hopefully we can build on it… I came to [the Whipsnakes] to win a championship, and I think we have the team to do it.”