It was a jam-packed weekend of NLL lacrosse as five games were played on Saturday night. Let’s see who won the weekend and who had a weekend to forget as we go through this week’s NLL Winners and Losers.
NLL Winners and Losers: Week 5
Winners
San Diego Seals
11,300 fans came to the home opener for a professional indoor lacrosse team in San Diego, California. If you would have told a lacrosse reporter that 10 years ago that, they would have laughed right in your face. But, this is 2019 and lacrosse is ready to explode. Congratulations to the city of San Diego and the Seals organization for the great work they have done in such a short time. Not only did they fill Pechanga Arena, they also beat the Rochester Knighthawks and now have a record of 2-2. There are great things going on in Southern California.
A night we will never forget pic.twitter.com/EwvPInzVru
— San Diego Seals (@SealsLax) January 14, 2019
Stephan Leblanc
Leblanc had 6 points combined in his first two games this season, but had himself a game against Calgary. LeBlanc scored nine points to help lead New England to a victory. The NLL veteran is finding success with this new look Black Wolves squad that has had two impressive wins over two good teams in Saskatchewan and Calgary.
Diving Goals
Every NLL game there are at least an attempt at a diving goal. However, this past weekend it seemed like there were a handful of diving goals in every game. There would have been even more if some hadn’t been reviewed for players stepping in the crease. This is one of, if not the most, exciting plays in lacrosse and players all over the league are starting to perfect this high-risk high-reward move much to the delight of fans everywhere. Here are two out of many examples from the weekend:
His 4TH of the NIGHT! Not a big deal, @BenMc90. #SASvsVAN pic.twitter.com/yIhpk4Luyr
— Saskatchewan Rush (@SaskRushLAX) January 13, 2019
That was pretty, @GeorgiaSwarmLAX ?
Watch NOW on #BRLive: https://t.co/C6SdDQCHFD pic.twitter.com/dlDSvJ6ESv
— Bleacher Report Live (@brlive) January 13, 2019
Honorable Mentions
Adrian Sorichetti
The announcers of the San Diego and Rochester game said it best when they mentioned that Sorichetti will forever be the answer to the trivia question of “Who scored the first NLL goal at Pechanga Arena?” Sorichetti fired a shot through the legs of Angus Goodleaf on a breakaway to become the first player and first Seal to score a goal in Pechanga on a night in which San Diego also got its first home win.
The first ever home goal for @SealsLax ??
Watch them take on the Rochester Knighthawks on #BRLive: https://t.co/bLWcpHqmhS pic.twitter.com/ofCOEZkOMw
— Bleacher Report Live (@brlive) January 13, 2019
Lyle Thompson
Lyle was crucial in the Swarm’s win over the Wings with three goals and three assists. However, the news from that game wasn’t Lyle’s performance, but how he was treated by the public address announcer and a few fans at the arena. Lyle commented on the situation on Twitter, and the lacrosse community banded behind him and all Native American players. We wanted to recognize Lyle and all Native Americans for sharing this sacred game with the world.
Losers
Philadelphia Wings PA Announcer and Fans Behind the Georgia Swarm Bench
The incident from last Saturday’s game in Philadelphia has been covered on all lacrosse news outlets and on national news. What was said is inexcusable and unsettling. It is unfortunate that the public address announcer, in addition to a few fans, did not take the time to educate themselves on the roots of the game or treat someone with the respect they deserve. Hopefully, these people can be educated on Native American culture and the deep connection between Native Americans and the sport of lacrosse. Let what happened be a learning experience. From here, we should all move forward by educating ourselves and use this as a teaching tool for how we can all be better and honor the game.
BONUS: Check out our NLL Power Rankings heading into Week 6. Now, you can rank the teams yourself! Results will be compiled and released as a fan power ranking at the end of the week! Click here to check it out!
Be sure to check back next for next week’s installment of NLL Winners and Losers!