The pandemic meant we didn’t get the lacrosse we deserved in 2020, but the sport has made a comeback in 2021, and we’re all better for it. Though there is still a bit of time left in the year, we’re too eager to wait – these are some of the 21 best lacrosse plays from 2021.
Full disclosure: this probably won’t be the 21 best lacrosse plays of the year, because I’m sure some things slipped through the cracks. But this collection of 21 of the best lacrosse plays from 2021, in no particular order. If you of know plays that didn’t make the cut here, please send them our way.
21 Great Lacrosse Plays from 2021
1: Sam Shafer Game-Winning Save
After having an up-and-down season, Sam Shafer had one of the biggest moments of the NCAA Tournament, stopping Alex Simmons’ shot with fewer than seven seconds left to secure the win for Loyola.
2: Kayla Treanor’s Quick Stick Goal
This one speaks for itself.
3: Griffin Caiozzo’s Triple Save
Griffin Caiozzo had an epic triple save for Lunenburg High School in Massachusetts. Not only was he sprawling out to make multiple saves, but he used his hand to make the save.
4: Jack Govette’s Insane Game Winner
Jake Govette had one of the craziest lacrosse goals you will ever see. A desperation heave ended up being the semifinal-winning goal for the San Diego Royals.
5: Team USA U18 Comeback
Team USA U18 had an epic comeback, scoring five goals in the final 1:48 to beat Team Ontario.
6: Sammy Jo Tracy From the Floor
Sammy Jo Tracy doesn’t need to be upright to put the ball in the net.
7: Nick Marrocco Denies the Archers
Nick Marrocco denied the high-scoring Archers during the final seconds of the game, including a last-second attempt right in front to preserve the win for Cannons with one of the best lacrosse saves of the year.
8: Gators Goal of the Year
Florida’s Ryan Oliver has a strong case for goal of the year.
9: RIT Championship Winner
Scoring the game-winning goal in double OT is pretty sweet, but doing it to win the DIII national championship? This goal will be in NCAA highlights for years to come.
10: Kenzie Kent’s Diving Goal
Kenzie Kent went airborne for this one.
11: Paul Rabil’s Record Breaker
Paul Rabil breaking the all-time (pro field lacrosse) points record was one of the most talked about moments of 2021.
12: Ben Reeves Curve Shot
Ben Reeves defied logic with this beautiful “curve ball.”
13: Jay Carlson Between the Legs
Jay Carlson opened the PLL Championship up in style with this beautiful between-the-legs goal.
14: Charlotte North Through the Whole Defense
Charlotte North got through the whole Syracuse defense and shoveled it backhand into the net.
15: Ament Skip Pass
I couldn’t leave off the top play of the year in the PLL. Grant Ament dazzled us with another one of his skip passes, somehow finding Will Manny for the goal.
16: Ethan Robinette’s BTB Fake
Ethan Robinette had one of lacrosse’s nicest fakes of the year. This behind-the-back fake had the defender looking lost before Robinette finished it off with a nice goal.
17: Alex Roussel Through Contact
Alex Roussel scored this goal to tie the Brogden Cup for Team Ontario, finishing through contact after a quick build up.
18: Nicole Levy’s Ultimate Fake
Between the legs? Syke.
19: Anthony DeMaio Sends the Terps to the Final Four
Anthony DeMaio’s overtime goal in the NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals punched Maryland’s ticket to the Final Four.
20: Joe Robertson FTW
Joe Robertson got the win for Duke in overtime against Loyola in the NCAA Tournament while falling down in one of the most memorable lacrosse plays from 2021.
21: Alex Rode Secures National Championship
Alex Rode came up huge in the final seconds of the national championship game to maintain Virginia’s one-goal lead until the final horn.
