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Chrome defense stifles Redwoods in 12-3 victory

By Lauren Merola | Jun 10, 2022

Rookie Logan Wisnauskas introduced himself to the league with a five-goal performance in Chrome’s 12-3 victory over the Redwoods in Week 2 in Charlotte, N.C.

Chrome looked quick, both offensively and defensively, scoring four of six first-half goals in transition and holding the Redwoods scoreless in the second period. The Beauties caused 10 Redwoods turnovers while minimizing all opportunity for Ryder Garsney to find his rhythm and silencing Rob Pannell by locking- and batting-down cutters and cross-crease passes.

Dylan Molloy (2G, 1A) and Brendan Nichtern (1G, 2A) each added three points for Chrome.

The Redwoods’ three goals mark the least goals ever scored by a PLL team in a single game. The previous record (4) was also set by the Redwoods in 2019.

“We talked about sharing the ball, not throwing skip passes and we’re doing the exact opposite,” Pannell said. “We’re not moving the ball and went for the home-run shot every time.”

Sean Sconone had himself a day, making seven saves on 70%. From end to end, Chrome – having missed the 2021 playoffs – already looks poised for a comeback.

The Redwoods fall to 0-2, but it’s no point for panic. Chaos lost the first two games of the 2021 season and ended it as champions.

“We’re not doing the little things right,” Pannell said. “We’re dropping passes and throwing the ball away. Defensively, we’re not clearing it at a percentage that we should be… By no means are we worried that the season is over. We’ve got a resilient locker room and a great group of guys. We have a group that’s going to fight, but we have to change a little bit about what we’re doing.”

Chrome coach Tim Soudan said the IQ of his defenders – Jesse Bernhardt, JT Giles-Harris, Nick Grill and Mike Manley – is “incredible.”

“We won a lot of one-on-one matchups that the Redwoods kept pushing and it’s a testament to our shorties and the poles,” Soudan said. “I’m really happy with the way they performed today.”

Chrome grabbed 39 groundballs to the Redwoods 24.

At the stripe, Chrome won 67% of faceoffs. Connor Farrell went 12-for-17 and grabbed six ground balls compared to TD Ierlan’s 3.

“That’s a good matchup for us,” Soudan said. “I think he just out-quicked [Ierlan] at times and out-powered him at other times.”

Chrome was up 6-1 at the half, but going into the third period, Soudan’s message to Chrome was simple.

“We’re always talking about 0-0,” Soudan said. “We play like it’s 0-0 the entire time.”

As for the Redwoods, they continue to battle through injuries in search of their new identity. They suit up against the Chaos on June 18 on Long Island.

Chrome takes on the Waterdogs on June 17.