Eduardo Curros – Field Correspondent, All Lacrosse All The Time
Week 8 of the PLL kicked off in Baltimore with the Archers (5-1) facing Atlas (2-4), as Archers tried to remain alone at the top of the standings. The goalie match up had Brett Dobson for the Archers facing Jack Concannon for Atlas. Another key matchup was the faceoff duel between rookie of the year candidate Mike Sisselberger (13 of 27) and reigning PLL MVP Trevor Baptiste (15 of 28).
Although Atlas started slow, they took a lead near halftime. However, Archers battled back to send the game to overtime, where they prevailed 14-13. Tom Schreiber (2g, 2a) led the way for Archers, while Chris Gray (4g, 1-2pt g, 2a), played a decisive role for Atlas.
Atlas starts slow but takes halftime lead
Archers took the early lead thanks to Matt Moore opening the scoring with an assist from Latrell Harris at 0:41 and Conner Maher from Grant Ament at 1:37. Atlas’s Eric Law responded with an assist from Jeff Teat at 2:36 to cut the lead in half. However, Connor Fields scored his first of the game at 3:36 and Mac O’Keefe finished the Archers scoring from a great pass from Matt Moore at 8:00. The Atlas were not about to go gently as Chris Gray scored his first, assisted by Jeff Teat to close out the eventful opening frame 4-2, with the Archers in the lead.
The second quarter started with Connor Fields giving a lesson on scoring for his second of the game at 0:35. However, Atlas showed they are as formidable as any top team and the Archers would pay dearly for it. Chris Gray scored his second thanks to an assist from Brendan Curry at 2:09. Fields would strike again at 3:37, but that would end the Archers’ scoring for the rest of the period. On the other hand, Atlas would lead an assault with Chris Gray connecting from a pass from Jeff Teat at 3:48, Xander Dickson scoring thanks to Brendan Curry at 5:31, Danny Logan connecting with Chris Gray to tie up the game at 5:50, and Bryan Costabile with another assist from Chris Gray to give the Atlas a one goal lead 7-6, at the half.
Atlas drops yet another one-goal game
The second half started with fireworks, as Chris Gray traded scoring and passing with Bryan Costabile at 3:57. Latrell Harris put the Archers back on track with a great pass from Tom Schreiber at 5:20. Mac O’Keefe tied the game temporarily thanks to another assist from Schreiber at 6:17. The Atlas would have the last laugh as Gavin Adler scored at 6:28 with help from Chet Comizio, giving them a 9-8 lead.
Chris Gray scored a 2-point goal with help from Teat at 1:13 to open the fourth quarter. Conner Maher was quick to respond at 3:06 but Bryan Costabile kept expanding the lead with another goal at 6:02. Jared Conners teamed up with Matt Moore to deliver a much needed 2-point goal for Archers at 7:38. Two quick goals followed from Mac O’Keefe at 8:13 and Tom Schreiber at 8:44. Archers would have to pull off another comeback as Xander Dickson tied the game, 13-13 at 10:44 with another assist from Jeff Teat. In overtime, it was Tom Schreiber connecting from an O’Keefe pass to give the Archers their sixth win of the season. Atlas falls to 2-5 with the loss.
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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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