Welcome to the Premier Lacrosse League, Jeff Teat. We’ve been waiting for you.
The No. 1 overall pick in this year’s college draft, finally taken off the unavailable to travel list, announced his presence Sunday with a seven-goal, nine-point performance in his Atlas’ 18-17 win against Cannons at Baltimore’s historic Homewood Field.
Teat was quiet in his professional debut Friday against Whipsnakes, perhaps expected considering the Ivy League sitting out the spring meant he hadn’t played in a game in over a year. But after a two-assist showing in his first game, he came out and tied Will Manny’s PLL record for goals in a game in a close triumph.
Make that SEVEN GOALS pic.twitter.com/d18yxj8HPP
— Premier Lacrosse League (@PremierLacrosse) June 27, 2021
His nine points is also the most for a rookie in professional field lacrosse since Mike Bocklet in 2015. He’s already tied for second among rookies in points this season despite the late start.
“I thought he played really well,” Atlas coach Ben Rubeor said. “I’m proud of him. He wasn’t happy after Friday. I thought he played just fine, but he wasn’t happy. But anyway, guy’s a competitor and I thought he competed today and did a really great job.”
He’s the latest addition to the new youthful core that has Atlas’ future looking very promising. Jake Carroway continued his strong rookie season with a combined seven points over the weekend and Bryan Costabile had four.
Atlas escaped a late Cannons push, featuring a two-point goal from Paul Rabil to tie the game at 15-15 in his return to Homewood. But Atlas was able to finish strong and erase an opportunity for Lyle Thompson in the final seconds to walk away victors. The Atlas held Thompson without a goal, only the second time that’s happened to him as a professional.
WHIPSNAKES STREAK IS OVER
After escaping a second straight overtime scare on Friday, the Whipsnakes’ winning streak dating back to the PLL’s first season has finally ended.
Matt Rambo helped the team survive an Atlas challenge on Friday with an OT goal to push the final tally to 12-11, but Whipsnakes’ good fortune ran out two days later. Chrome, needing a pick-me-up itself, upended the Whips 16-6 Sunday for their first victory of the season.
Chrome has been decimated by injuries, losing the likes of Jordan Wolf, Randy Staats and Jesse Bernhardt in addition to playing without suspended Matt Gaudet.
But Jackson Morrill has exceeded expectations as a late-round draft pick, notching a team-leading six points Sunday. Colin Heacock had his best showing since joining the PLL with five points and John Galloway stood on his head in cage with 21 saves. Chrome held Whipsnakes to two goals in the first half, then blew the game open with a 8-4 run in the final two quarters.
“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.
Rookie @MacOKeefe3 breaks the tie with a @PLLChaos pic.twitter.com/lqm7XqWNVi
— Premier Lacrosse League (@PremierLacrosse) June 26, 2021
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.
Gotta say, the pre-throw swag is . https://t.co/MiPtVOnaEV pic.twitter.com/JJfQ5sBC3s
— Adam Ghitelman (@adam8taylor) June 27, 2021
“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)