Dialed In: Your Lacrosse Fix for Tuesday, Sept. 5

​Good morning. Here’s the latest from around the lacrosse world:

1. Three teams advance to the Premier Lacrosse League semifinals.

The Redwoods, Waterdogs and Cannons will join the top-seeded Archers, who had a first-round bye, in the PLL semifinals next Sunday.

The Redwoods are moving on to the semifinals for the first time since 2020 after downing the Chaos 15-9. Wes Berg tallied a record seven goals.

The defending champion Waterdogs advanced with a 15-12 triumph over the Whipsnakes. The Whips will miss the semifinals for the first time in league history.

The Cannons’ turnaround season continues after a dominant 20-11 win against the Atlas.

SEMIFINAL SCHEDULE

Games will be played at James M. Shuart Stadium on the campus of Hofstra University.

• No. 4 Redwoods vs. No. 1 Archers, 3 p.m., ABC

• No. 3 Waterdogs vs. No. 2 Cannons, 5:30 p.m., ABC

2. Stanford, Cal joining the ACC in all sports.

Conference realignment has continued, with Stanford and Cal departing the Pac-12 for the ACC beginning in 2024-25. Both schools sponsor women’s lacrosse. Stanford last won the Pac-12 in 2022. All six schools in the Pac-12 that have women’s lacrosse programs have announced moves to new conferences. Read more.

3. Jared Bernhardt announces next move.

Jared Bernhardt is returning to lacrosse after a football-induced hiatus that included a stint with the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons. Bernhardt will be the director of player development at his alma mater, Maryland, where he won a Tewaaraton. Full story.

WHAT WE’RE READING

• Asher Nolting of the Cannons didn’t win MVP this season — that went to Tom Schreiber — but he is considered one of the league’s best this season and has the Cannons on the brink of history. Ditching imposter syndrome has been critical to his success.

• Best defense ever? Quite possibly. Matt DaSilva dives into how the U.S. men’s national team set the gold standard.

• Sept. 1 kicked off the recruiting period for the class of 2025. This year’s Inside Lacrosse No. 1 prospects don’t have to look far for advice on how to handle the distinction.

WHAT WE’RE WATCHING

The Atlas bowed out Monday, but not before gifting fans this highlight-reel play.

OH MAN. @Chrisgray04__ BTB ASSIST TO THE @XanderDickson GOAL. WOW. pic.twitter.com/dp49pXmrJu

— Premier Lacrosse League (@PremierLacrosse) September 4, 2023

WHAT’S ON TAP

Jack Goods shares his thoughts on the PLL playoffs in his weekly notebook.

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