“There was an emotional attachment to all the guys we lost along the way,” Chrome coach Tim Soudan said. “The locker room felt far different today. Some of those open wounds have healed up a bit, not having those guys. Just being resilient enough to just say, ‘OK, we’re moving forward.’”
The Whipsnakes were dealing with their own injuries, already without reigning MVP Zed Williams entering the game after an injury suffered against Atlas. Then Matt Rambo dealt with an ailment Sunday, further limiting the team’s offensive unit. It resulted in the Whips’ first loss in 672 days.
“It’s a good opportunity for us to learn,” Whipsnakes defenseman Matt Dunn said. “People keep talking about the win streak. I don’t really think about it because we’ve had so many overtime games. I kind of forget that everybody has us circled as this team that hasn’t been beaten. … We’re clearly vulnerable. This is a great learning opportunity, just to remind us that if we don’t come out prepared, come out to play, that we can lose to any single team in this league.”
CHAOS GET FIRST WIN
Chaos head coach Andy Towers detailed how difficult it can be to not get the results you feel you deserve after the final whistle blew in his team’s game Saturday.
Thankfully for his crew, they don’t have to worry about that this week. Chaos got off the schneid after an 0-3 start to the season, upsetting Redwoods 11-9.
Mac O’Keefe capped off a 5-0 game-closing run for Chaos, hitting from deep with a shot befitting for the NCAA’s all-time goals leader.
Meanwhile, Redwoods has gone from looking like a title contender to dropping two straight.
GOALIES CAN SCORE TOO
Adam Ghitelman made PLL history in Archers’ dominant 17-8 victory against Waterdogs on Saturday night. With the clock winding down, a scrum gathered to the side of the Waterdog offensive zone. The scuffle drew the attention of goalie Dillon Ward, leaving the Waterdog net open as Ghitelman held the ball on the other side of the field.
The Archers goalie decided to take a shot, and it paid off. His cross-field attempt landed in the net, securing the first goalie goal in PLL history. It was initially waved off, but the PLL changed its decision later that night.
“We just huddled up after the game,” PLL Head of Competition Seth Tierney said on the Peacock broadcast during the Atlas vs. Cannons game Sunday. “We just understood we had to make it right.”
Ghitelman finished with three points, also recording an assist in the blowout. That was more than any Waterdog notched in the contest.
Meanwhile, the Archers offense continues to hum along in the team’s 3-0 start. Grant Ament was stellar facilitating, finishing with six points on a goal and five assists, while Will Manny had a hat trick with two assists. Marcus Holman and Tom Schreiber were close behind with four points each.
NOTEWORTHY
The contracts of Chaos’ Austin Staats and Chrome’s Matt Gaudet were terminated by the league last week after an investigation into an off-field incident during Week 1 in Foxborough. … Johns Hopkins alum Kyle Harrison was honored before he competed for the Redwoods in his final game at Homewood Field. He announced at the start of the season this will be his final year of pro lacrosse. … Robert Morris grad Ryan Smith made his pro debut with Chaos, scoring twice. Redwoods’ Charlie Bertrand also made his debut in the same game, scoring his first goal in jaw-dropping behind-the-back fashion. … Atlas’ Mark Cockerton scored in the final minute against Whipsnakes to force OT, though Rambo made sure the Whips overcame the late finish. … Teams playing for a second time in a weekend are now 5-2 after Atlas’ win and Whipsnakes’ loss. … Newly named Syracuse men’s lacrosse coach Gary Gait watched the Archers’ victory Saturday night and spoke with the broadcast crew. … Chaos picked up Bryce Wasserman, Brendan Gleason and CJ Costabile from the player pool. … With 16 points, Redwoods’ Rob Pannell remains tops in the league.
UP NEXT
The PLL travels from one lacrosse hot bed to another, moving to Long Island for five games next week. All times Eastern:
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Archers vs. Chrome, 7 p.m. Friday (Peacock)
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Redwoods vs. Waterdogs, noon Saturday (NBC)
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Cannons vs. Chaos, 3 p.m. Saturday (NBCSN)
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Whipsnakes vs. Archers, 12:30 p.m. Sunday (NBCSN)
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Chrome vs. Atlas, 3:15 p.m. Sunday (Peacock)