PLL Final : Under Pressure
We turn the page on the 2024 season and the Utah Archers deliver back to back championship banners. The Archers roster is a compilation of stars from mid-major programs. High Point, Lindenwood, Bellarmine, Vermont, Lehigh, Loyola, St Bonaventure, Albany and Marquette are represented. Coach Chris Bates is a Dartmouth graduate with an affinity for players […]
Not AI : PLL Semifinals and Final Look Ahead
On the same day, one of the best games in PLL history was played, it was immediately followed by one of the worst. Maryland needed seven minutes of sudden death overtime to get past New York 12-11. And then Utah squashed Carolina like a bug 10-1. Notable was the playoff overtime because unlike college games, […]
PLL Playoffs : Semifinals Are Next
The PLL played their two quarterfinal games on Labor Day in front of a sparse crowd in Gillette Stadium. Coming off a bye weekend for the entire league, the overall quality of play was on the slow side, defenses had the upper hand with Maryland and Carolina advancing. Win or Go Home Quarterfinal Recap Game […]
PLL Quarterfinals
I’m learning to be open minded about evaluating lacrosse games – there are certain factors like matchups, and trends that may be predicted, but every lacrosse game has a certain variability of randomness and unpredictability. That’s even more pronounced at the pro level and what makes playoff lacrosse so compelling. Teams who advance in September […]
Lacrosse Replaces Break Dancing in 2028 LA Olympic Games – PLL Playoffs Are Next.
Robust crowds showed up in Salt Lake City for the final week of the regular season that played out without major plot twists. After squinting at the sun glare the PLL bracket is set for postseason lacrosse. Philadelphia is toast. They’ve been dead meat for a month. Veteran lefty Kieran McArdle headlines the 13 free […]
PLL Concludes Regular Season in Salt Lake City
The standings matter most as the PLL finishes up the regular season this weekend in Salt Lake City. East New York (7-2) took a gigantic step towards the top seed with a 15-11 win over Utah on Saturday in Denver. Jeff Teat continued his assault on the PLL points record, he’s been putting out fire […]
The PLL Heads to Colorado
Denver is the next PLL road stop as the pros caravan across the country. Peter Barton Stadium, a small venue, should be sold out and lively on Friday and Saturday night. The air is thin and dry at 5,280 feet. Players won’t sweat. They play through cotton mouth. What’s at stake this weekend? It looks as […]
PLL Week 8 – San Diego
I flew west early on Friday at 6:15am, a Southwest flight to San Diego from BWI. Boston coach Brian Holman a passenger along with California assistant coach John Grant Jr, Redwood SSDM Isaiah Davis-Allen and Cannon attackman Asher Nolting. It occurred to me that BWI is a large lacrosse related business. I’ve always felt that […]
Women’s Lacrosse Rules Must Continue to Evolve
Charlotte North shot a lacrosse ball 92 miles an hour during the skills challenge at the Premier Lacrosse League All-Star game in Louisville earlier in July. 92 miles an hour, that’s legit for any level. North is the Caitlyn Clark of lacrosse, a trailblazer, a bona fide star and the first female to eclipse 90 […]
Summer Burn Out
I sat down this week on the Quintessential Podcast with Maryland coach John Tillman. We talked about the 2024 Terp season that ended in the NCAA title game, their magical playoff run of three wins, transfer portal impact and the summer recruiting circuit. I asked him: What are some trends you’re seeing this summer? What’s […]
Epic Goals and Gritty Wins: The Thrilling First Half of the PLL Season
Pro lacrosse rolled into Boston on July 4th weekend with double-headers on Friday and Saturday at Harvard. The summer of 2024 has been defined by the rookie class that swells with success stories. More than 20 rookies have scored a goal. Five weekends in the books, that’s 20 games played. The All-Star Game is next. […]
Who Shined at Naptown?
Naptown Challenge , Wednesday June 26, 2024, Navy Marine Corps Stadium. Four championship games televised on ESPNU and ESPN+. Which players left me impressed? Naptown 2025’s Seniors this fall, the class of 2025. 39 of the players we watched in the finale between Primetime and Team Philly are rising senior verbal commits at the moment. There […]