Eduardo Curros – Field Correspondent, All Lacrosse All The Time
It’s Week 5 of the PLL in Fairfield, Connecticut, and 3-1 Archers were taking on 3-1 Redwoods in a battle for first place. The Archers’ offense has been stellar, registering double digits in goals every game so far. Meanwhile, their defense had the monumental task of trying to contain Redwoods’ Ryder Garnsey and Rob Pannell, who torched Chaos for 12 combined points last week. That defense would succeed, holding the duo to just two goals in a convincing 10-3 victory. Archers move to 4-1, tied for first place with Waterdogs, while Redwoods drop to 3-2.
O’Keefe, Leclaire give Archers two-goal lead at half
Redwoods struck first, with Pannell opening up the scoring. Mac O’Keefe, Tre Leclaire, and O’Keefe with a second goal put Archers up 3-1. Garnsey scored near the end of the quarter to bring the Redwoods within one, 3-2. Leclaire added his second goal to start the second quarter, then Connor Fields assisted Grant Ament to extend the lead to 5-2. Redwoods fought back as Wes Berg scored to narrow the gap to 5-3 at the half.
Archers cut down the ‘Woods in the second half
Unfortunately for Redwoods, Berg’s goal would be the last one they scored. It was all Archers in the second half, as they shut Redwoods out. Fields fed Challen Rogers, then Tom Schreiber assisted O’Keefe’s hat-trick goal, making it 7-3. The domination continued in the fourth quarter. O’Keefe scored his fourth goal of the game, and Ryan Ambler and Schreiber (assisted by Ament) also found the back of the net. Archers will have another tough test in two weeks, as they battle again for first place against Waterdogs. Redwoods will look to regroup against Cannons after the All-Star break.
Game Notes
Archers: O’Keefe 4g; Leclaire 2g; Ambler/Ament/Schreiber 1g, 1a each; Fields 2a
Redwoods: Pannell 1g; Garnsey 1g; Berg 1g; Heningburg 1a
Mike Sisselberger continues to make his case for Rookie of the Year, going 10 of 15 on faceoffs while outdueling TD Ierlan of Redwoods. He also had 5 Ground Balls. Sisselberger is currently winning faceoffs at a 70% rate for the season.
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“Muffler” Mike Kostiuk was formally introduced to box lacrosse when he attended a New England Black Wolves game on a whim in 2016. Instantly hooked, he has since become an avid follower of the National Lacrosse League. Following the postponement of the 2019-2020 NLL season, he was offered the chance to share his wealth of statistical knowledge and unique insights with the lacrosse community at large. He cheerfully accepted, and currently serves as Edge of Philly’s correspondent for both the Albany FireWolves and New York Riptide.
