PLL Week 2: Atlas Finally Clip the Whips

Plenty has changed through the first five years of the Premier Lacrosse League, but some constants remain. The league continues to deliver down-to-the-wire finishes, overtime thrillers and comebacks you have to see to believe.

Through two weeks, six of the eight games have been one-goal results. Perhaps none were more impressive than the Redwoods’ comeback Friday against the defending champion Waterdogs.

The Woods were in hot water nine minutes in, going down 6-0 early thanks largely to an early four-point burst from Michael Sowers. But they responded with six straight stretching from the first quarter into the third, helping fuel a 10-9 win in a showing coach Nat St. Laurent described as “gritty.”

“We got down a touchdown there, the guys battled back and we were able to really settle in,” St. Laurent said. “Veterans led the way, and then the rookie came in.”

That rookie would be Cole Kirst, making his professional debut. He scored twice in the third, once to tie the score at 6 and another to put the Redwoods up for the first time at 8-7.

Ethan Walker and Jake Carraway helped the Waterdogs reclaim the lead in the fourth quarter before Ryder Garnsey equalized with a swim move.

Rob Pannell then scored the game-winner with five-plus minutes remaining, completing his four-point night.

“For our defense to step up, especially in the fourth quarter late at the end, really buckle down to go 2-0, is a great start to our season,” goalie Jack Kelly said.

ATLAS HAVE THEIR DAY

After losing in their first six tries, the Atlas have finally defeated the Whipsnakes.

It took some perseverance from Chris Gray to make it happen, as he fought through another tough shooting day. After a 12-percent hit rate in the opener against the Redwoods, Gray missed on his first nine shots on Whipsnakes goalie Kyle Bernlohr.

The former North Carolina Tar Heel finally broke through at the most opportune time. His 10th shot off a jumper with 18 seconds left proved to be the game-winner in a 12-11 final.

“My teammates had all the confidence in the world in me,” Gray said. “I made a few bad plays down the stretch, and Jeff [Teat] and Eric [Law] grabbed me and said, ‘You’re going to get the next one.’ Thankfully, that one went in.”

The Atlas pulled ahead in the third quarter with a three-goal run, which included a SportsCenter Top 10 play from Xander Dickson. The impressive rookie swatted the ball on the crease to create a bounce pass to Law, who finished on the other side.

How about @XanderDickson making @SportsCenter’s #SCTop10 on his first two professional games

This weekend at # pic.twitter.com/E8UouG7hg4

— Premier Lacrosse League (@PremierLacrosse) June 11, 2023

Matt Rambo scored twice in a row to equalize in the fourth quarter, forcing a need for Gray’s heroics. The result pushed the Whipsnakes, a preseason favorite, to 0-2.

“Chris Gray, kind of a tough day for him, but he made the play at the end to win the game,” Atlas coach Mike Pressler said. “So just a lot of intestinal fortitude for our guys in the second half.”

BYRNE BABY, BYRNE

The party continues for Josh Byrne a week after he and many of his Chaos teammates claimed their first National Lacrosse League title with the Buffalo Bandits. After notching seven points in Buffalo’s decisive Game 3 against Colorado, Byrne returned to the PLL by scoring the overtime winner in a 14-13 win over the Cannons.

Byrne put his shoulder into Jake Pulver, forcing his way to the cage to complete a hat trick.

OT WINNER @Joshbyrne94 pic.twitter.com/IEbxCaBs2R

— Chaos Lacrosse Club (@PLLChaos) June 10, 2023

“I think Josh Byrne is the best attackman on the planet,” Chaos coach Andy Towers said. “Obviously, he’s an incredible athlete. He’s uniquely skilled. His IQ is off the charts. But I really think it’s his intangibles that make him who he is and separates him from everybody else who plays that position.”

Byrne finished with four points, while fellow Chaos and Bandit player Chase Fraser added three goals.

The Cannons scored three straight to end regulation, including two from rookie Matt Campbell, but are still looking for their first win under coach Brian Holman.

NEW ERA IN CAGE

It’s tough to secure a starting goalie position in the PLL, especially as someone in their early 20s. But Brett Dobson is proving the Archers were smart in handing him the keys to the cage after Adam Ghitelman’s departure to the Cannons.

Dobson, a second-year player out of St. Bonaventure, made 18 stops Friday, posting a 72-percent save percentage in his squad’s 12-7 win against the Chrome. Dobson held the Chrome to one goal in the first 28 minutes of play, helping the Archers get out to a 7-1 advantage.

On the other side of the ball, Tom Schreiber notched six points, and first-year Archer Mac O’Keefe added three goals — including a two-pointer — to make up for the absence of an injured Grant Ament.

“We scored 12 on the offensive end, but I think we were a little sloppy and could have done a little better,” Schreiber said. “These guys, Dobber included, on the defense were the difference-makers tonight.”

NOTEWORTHY

Stephen Rehfuss was picked up by the Atlas this week after a surprising release from the Cannons. The Atlas made room by releasing Cade van Raaphorst, who remains in the player pool. The Whipsnakes added Brett Kennedy after his release from the Chaos. … The Atlas played without Danny Logan due to injury, which led to Chet Comizio making his pro debut. … The Waterdogs’ James Reilly also played in his first PLL game, winning 48 percent of his draws against TD Ierlan.

UP NEXT
ALL TIMES EASTERN

In Columbus, Ohio.

FRIDAY

Waterdogs vs. Atlas, 5 p.m. (ESPN+)
Chrome vs. Cannons, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN+)

SATURDAY

Archers vs. Chaos, 11 a.m. (ESPN)
Redwoods vs. Whipsnakes, 6 p.m. (ESPN+)