PLL Week 3: Connor Kelly's Clutch Goal Puts Him in Exclusive Group

One week after fumbling an early six-goal lead to the Redwoods, the Waterdogs proved capable of flipping that script. And once again, Connor Kelly showed his clutch gene for the defending Premier Lacrosse League champions.

Kelly notched his second game-winning goal in the first three weeks of the season, capping a nine-point afternoon in a 19-18 win against the Atlas in Columbus, Ohio. Kelly’s day featured a trio of two-point goals, making him only the 12th player in pro lacrosse history to accomplish that feat in a single game.

“I gotta sleep with this thing tonight,” Kelly joked about his stick.

The final goal was set up with a smooth clear, with Charlie Hayes finding a streaking Kelly in the last 15 seconds. When Kelly scored, it marked the Waterdogs’ first lead of the game.

CONNOR KELLY FOR THE WIN

The @PLLWaterdogs complete the comeback with a game winner in the final seconds pic.twitter.com/jj5114otjF

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 17, 2023

“It was a fundamental mistake. He didn’t get in the hole,” Atlas coach Mike Pressler said. “We’re trying to match up at the midfield line. That’s a junior high-level play, and I’m upset about it.”

The Waterdogs were down 6-0 early in the first quarter and 12-5 in the third, not even earning a tie until Kelly’s final two-pointer with a minute remaining.

“In this league, there’s no deficit too big, and the fact that we came back, it speaks volumes [about] us,” Kelly said.

HOLMAN GETS FIRST PRO WIN

The Cannons have been waiting a long time for this. For the first time since last year’s season opener, the Bomb Squad walked off the field winners.

The game-winning goal in coach Brian Holman’s first professional triumph came off the stick of one of the team’s offseason additions, Matt Kavanagh. A swim move got him space from the Chrome’s Ryan Terefenko, and he buried a bouncer with under two minutes to go.

CLUTCH KAVANAGH!

Matt Kav gives us a one goal lead with under two minutes to go! pic.twitter.com/lKu3mknlKK

— Cannons Lacrosse Club (@PLLCannons) June 17, 2023

“Winning feels really good,” Brian Holman said. “I was hoping they would get that feeling today. Now we can continue to get better. That’s been my message right from the get-go.”

Holman shared those words while drenched in water, the remnants of a previous celebration with his son, attackman Marcus Holman.

“Absolutely a special weekend,” Marcus Holman said. “To have this happen on Father’s Day weekend is pretty awesome.”

CHAOS MAKE EARLY STATEMENT

While the Chaos have become known in recent years for turning on the jets toward the end of the season, the group looks in peak shape early after securing one of the more impressive victories thus far.

Blaze Riorden made 19 saves and Josh Byrne totaled seven points, as the  Chaos bested previously unbeaten Archers 15-10. The Chaos benefited from the departure of Grant Ament, who left early with a tweaked hamstring, allowing the defense to further clamp down on Tom Schreiber. He was held to two goals and no assists.

“I love our defense,” Chaos coach Andy Towers said. “We’ve got the best player in the world in goal and an egoless group down there.”

Rookie Brian Minicus had the best game of his young career with two goals and two assists, and Ryan Smith had a hat trick.

WHIPSNAKES GET OFF SCHNEID

It was only a matter of time before the Whipsnakes got their mojo back. The Whips rolled the Redwoods in the first half — backed by stellar defense and a pair of two pointers — en route to an 18-11 victory.

The Whipsnakes went into the break up 13-3 to breeze into their first victory of the season. Will Manny had seven points, including a two pointer, Matt Rambo scored four times in a six-point day and Tucker Dordevic added four points.

The Whips were able to endure another strong showing from Ryder Garnsey, the league leader in points. He had eight this week on six goals and two assists.

“We played great and executed on all the things that we talked about having to,” Whipsnakes coach Jim Stagnitta said.

NOTEWORTHY

Despite his team’s defeat, the Atlas’ Trevor Baptiste had a record-breaking showing at the stripe. He won a PLL-best 31 draws for an 86-percent success rate. … Through three weeks, eight games have been decided by one goal. … The PLL is taking a two-week break from action as players head to San Diego for the World Lacrosse Men’s Championship. … The Cannons claimed Cade van Raaphorst after he was released by the Atlas. He had two ground balls and caused a turnover against the Chrome. … The Chaos’ Dhane Smith made his season debut after most recently earning MVP honors in the National Lacrosse League Finals. He had three points.

UP NEXT
ALL TIMES EASTERN

In Eagan, Minnesota

Saturday, July 8

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

Sunday, July 9

Redwoods vs. Chaos, 2 p.m. (ESPN2)
Whipsnakes vs. Archers, 4:30 p.m. (ESPN+)