Neumann Sets Record, Louisville Represents at PLL All-Star Weekend

Don’t call the Premier Lacrosse League’s veterans “old.” They proved they’ve still got it against the league’s up-and-comers at this weekend’s All-Star Game in Louisville, Kentucky.

Will Manny of the Whipsnakes earned MVP honors, notching seven points in the Veterans’ 26-19 win over the Rising Stars. In front of a lively crowd in a non-traditional market, the PLL’s best put on a show with a weekend that included a new fastest shot, some hijinks in the freestyle competition and plays no player would be willing to attempt in a regular season game.

Jarrod Neumann was responsible for the weekend’s most memorable moment, throwing his entire body into a shot that read 121 mph on the radar gun. That’s a new record for the PLL, and another feather in the cap for Neumann — a three-time champion in the Fastest Shot Competition.

FOR JARROD NEUMANN

History in the Fastest Shot competition. pic.twitter.com/lstgtZgblD

— USA Lacrosse Magazine (@USALacrosseMag) July 23, 2023

“I’ll tell you what, you shoot with your whole body there,” Neumann said on the broadcast. “As you saw, I’m flying over the line. I’m trying to give it all.”

In the main event, the Veterans never trailed thanks to a game-opening 6-0 run featuring a Troy Reh two-pointer. Neumann hit a two-pointer of his own to end the first frame, closing out a 9-2 start for the elder statesman. The Rising Stars got within three in the second quarter and four in the fourth, but they were never able to get a final burst.

Manny finished with two goals and five assists, matching Asher Nolting of the Rising Stars with a game-high seven points. Redwoods teammates Rob Pannell and Ryder Garnsey each added six points for the Veterans.

At this point, should we even be surprised when @rsgarnz50 does something like THIS pic.twitter.com/5arge99krb

— Premier Lacrosse League (@PremierLacrosse) July 23, 2023

Of course, players were encouraged to have a bit of fun during the exhibition, resulting in shenanigans like a rock-paper-scissors game to determine a faceoff, Blaze Riorden pulling off a behind-the-back pass from the crease and Garnsey channeling his inner jockey in the Freestyle Competition.

Other skills competition winners included Logan Wisnauskas in the Accuracy Challenge, Riorden in the Goalie Skills Challenge and Xander Dickson in the Freestyle Competition.

“Louisville showed out,” Manny said after being handed his MVP trophy. “This has been an unbelievable evening. It brings a little bit more edge when it’s Veterans versus Rising Stars, and there’s so many good guys in this league.”

NOTEWORTHY

The PLL announced its finalists for host cities over the weekend, a group that includes frequent stops like Albany, Baltimore, Boston, Denver, New York, Philadelphia, Charlotte and Minnesota. … Jarrod Neumann’s fastest shot was accomplished with a stick he strung that morning, having forgotten to pack his own. … Steve Buttleman, the official bugler of Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby, played the national anthem. … As expected, this week’s injury report was quite hefty, featuring 18 players.

UP NEXT
ALL TIMES EASTERN

In Dallas, Texas.

Saturday

Atlas vs. Chrome, 6 p.m. (ESPN+)
Cannons vs. Redwoods, 8:30 p.m. (ESPN+)

Sunday

Waterdogs vs. Archers, 3 p.m. (ABC)
Whipsnakes vs. Chaos, 5:30 p.m. (ESPN+)