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 overtime features no team or coach called timeouts – it’s continuous play decided by the players. The Whips and Atlas played seven minutes of golden goal action uninterrupted by stoppages.
Tension filled, hold your breath, stressful, edge of seat, riveting – any way you slice it, the overtime was heart stopping. Goalies Brendan Krebs and Liam Entenmann, alums of nearby Chaminade HS, each made stops in extra time. NY midfielder Jake Stevens hit a pipe. His teammate and league MVP Jeff Teat sailed a scoring chance wide. After seven minutes, big lefty and still a rookie, Levi Anderson swam past a shorty on the left wing and beat Entenmann from close range. (Anderson uses his right hand to push the defender while swimming with the ball in his left hand and is sitting on a warding call the next time he uses this move. It’s so fast that refs don’t see it. They saw it in slow motion to conclude the semifinal and will be less clueless next time.)
This overtime was unforgettable. I could barely breathe. In college, sudden victory is defined by timeouts, getting possession and calling timeout. It’s a stand around and talk strategy period, which lacks excitement. I televised a seven-overtime marathon between Maryland and Virginia that featured 14 timeouts. Feels like the game is taken from the players and controlled by the coaches. In the pro game, the coaches are taken out of the equation. The players decide the game. Who can operate under pressure?
Maryland never led until it was over and won 12-11 behind 17 saves from Brendan Krebs and offensive production from Colin Heacock, Levi Anderson, TJ Malone and Matt Rambo. Coach Jim Stagnitta and his crew have won six straight dating back to the San Diego weekend on July 28.
Unforgettable…and then forgettable.
Game two featured Utah suffocating Carolina 10-1 in the best statistical defensive performance in PLL history, regular or post season included. Or was it the worst offensive performance in league history? Hyperbole aside, this game fell somewhere in between. Carolina’s offense has been anemic all summer, unable to pass. So, when they fell behind 3-0 and 4-0, this baby was over.
Utah goalie Brett Dobson’s save percentage was 94.7%, while making 18 stops. That’s historically significant, but masks the offensive incompetency of the Chaos, who hit an all-time low.
Utah is back in the final looking for a repeat. The Archers won both games of their Week 11 homecoming in Salt Lake, earning first place in the Western conference and securing a first-round bye. They now move forward to Philadelphia without their ace, Tom Schreiber who was relegated to a Tom Brady broadcast roll, joining the booth in the second quarter of the semifinal.
What’s next?
Archers are a 1.5 goal favorite with a 23.5 goal total. It’s really a pick ‘em with Utah (-120) and Maryland (-110). The game will be played on grass which is refreshing for those of us who detest the plastic pellets. Party cloudy with a high of 86 degrees would signal optimal conditions.
Does Utah put lockdown defender Graeme Hossack on lefty Matt Rambo or catalyst TJ Malone? Malone, the prevailing rookie of the year choice, uses two-man games at X creating shots for the Whips. He has nine points in the playoffs and that’s where I’d deploy Hossack. MD Midfielder Ryan Conrad inverts with success – if you don’t pole him, you’ll deal with a steady dose of inverts. Poling Conrad leaves shorts on Levi Anderson, Colin Heacock and Adam Poitras. This is why the Whips are scoring goals in August and September.
Without Schreiber, Utah leans on Connor Fields and Grant Ament creating off the dodge with Mac Okeefe and Tre LeClair hovering for step downs. They both possess uncommon heat. Maryland’s D-man Matt Dunn will probably draw the Fields defensive assignment. Marking Ament is critical.
The rosters are littered with future Hall-of-Famers and college superstars. Goalie Brett Dobson, FOGO Mike Sisselberger, Mike Chanenchuk, Ajax Zappitello, Zed Williams, and FOGO Joe Nardella. The cast is loaded. Talent is overflowing in this PLL Championship game. Obsession always beats talent. These finalists have both.
If you’re a fan of the Maryland terrapins, you’re all in behind the whip snakes and if you’re a Maryland hater, then you’re pulling for Utah. If you play high school or college lacrosse you should be having a watch party for the Championship. If you live within an hour drive of Chester, PA you need to get to the game in person. There is too much good stuff going on to ignore.
The PLL Championship can be seen live on Sunday September 15 at 3pm on ABC from Subaru Park in Chester, PA. This is a world class venue for lacrosse, not a bad seat in the house. Please come out and support the sport. Drew Carter, Paul Carcaterra, Ryan Boyle and I will be working the game. I’ll be in Austin, Tx on Saturday for college football and hope the travel gods get me to Chester on time.
