Eduardo Curros – Field Correspondent, All Lacrosse All The Time
It’s Week 2 of the Premier Lacrosse League 2023 season. The Archers were taking on Chrome, with both teams coming off victories last week over the Cannons and Whipsnakes, respectively. Archers look especially lethal thanks to the additions of attackman Mac O’Keefe and face-off specialist Mike Sisselberger. Additionally, attackman Grant Ament is fully healthy after missing a significant portion of the 2022 season, and Brett Dobson is quickly establishing himself as a top goaltender.
Chrome have a slightly revamped offense, having lost 2022 Rookie of the Year Brendan Nichtern to military commitments. Fans can expect to see more production out of Logan Wisnauskas, Justin Anderson, and Jackson Morrill. While Morrill delivered the goods with five goals, this day would belong to Archers. They shut down the Chrome offense in the second quarter of a 12-7 win that keeps them atop the standings at 2-0.
Archers shut out Chrome in second quarter
The first frame of the game started with Tom Schreiber assisting both O’Keefe (2:18) and Connor Fields (5:22) on goals for Archers. The lone goal for Chrome came courtesy of Morrill (2:59). There were numerous chances on both sides, but Dobson and Chrome goalie Sean Sconone were solid in keeping the game close at 2-1.
That would change in the second quarter, as Archers shut out Chrome 3-0. Connor Maher (5:06) and Tre Leclaire (10:28; assisted by Schreiber) found the back of the net. Schreiber (11:38) then followed with an unassisted goal for a 5-1 lead at halftime.
Morrill scores five, but Archers stifle everyone else
Archers extended the lead to 7-1 when O’Keefe (0:59) fired in a 2-point goal, with Schreiber picking up his fourth assist of the game. Chrome finally got back on the board in last seven minutes of the third quarter. Morrill (4:04) broke a scoreless run of just over 25 minutes with his second of the game. Wisnauskas (6:42) followed to end the third quarter with the deficit at 7-3.
Archers continued to apply the pressure in the fourth quarter, with Matt Moore (0:28) pushing the lead to 8-3. Morrill responded with his hat-trick goal (1:11) to pull back within four. Ryan Ambler (assisted by Schreiber, his fifth of the game) scored for Archers 28 seconds later to make it a five-goal game. Mike Messenger (2:01) and Morrill’s fourth (4:40) narrowed the gap for Chrome to 9-6. However, Fields (8:48), O’Keefe (9:52) and Sisselbeger off the ensuing faceoff (9:59) put the game out of reach. Chrome could only muster Morrill’s fifth goal of the night (11:09), closing the book on the Archers’ win.
Game Notes
Conner Farrell (Chrome): 11 for 20 on face-offs, 5 Ground Balls
Tom Schreiber (Archers): 1g, 5a
Graeme Hossack (Archers): 7 Ground Balls (led all players)
Brett Dobson (Archers): 18 saves
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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.
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