How Brendan Lavelle played like a veteran vs. Matt Rambo in PLL debut
By Zach Carey | Jun 3, 2025
Since Brendan Lavelle arrived at training camp a week and a half ago, the Archers have voided his legal name. Instead, they call him “Spider,” which is his walkie talkie call sign assigned by captain Ryan Ambler.
The explanations for why he’s called “Spider” are different depending on who you ask. Some players say it’s because “you get caught in his web.” Others suggest Lavelle’s stature looks like a spider. Some just like the name, particularly as it’s evolved into “Spida.”
The actual reason Lavelle is now “Spider” is more meaningful. According to Ambler, Lavelle is replacing long-time Archers close defender Matt McMahon like the character Spider replaced Dewey Finn (played by Jack Black) in the band “No Vacancy” in the movie “School of Rock.”
In Lavelle’s first gig with his new band, he held Matt Rambo pointless for just the seventh time in Rambo’s nine-year career.
Not only did Rambo not score a point in the Archers’ 8-7 win over the Maryland Whipsnakes on Saturday, he also didn’t record an assist opportunity, marking the first time he did not register a goal, an assist or an assist opportunity since assist opportunities became a stat in 2019. The only stats Rambo registered were three missed shots on his 12 total touches, which were the fewest touches he’s had in a game since the league started tracking touches in 2022.
“There’s a reason we drafted him at five, and Matt Rambo’s an MVP in this league,” Brett Dobson said of Lavelle postgame. “He did a great job on him and I feel like he took pride in that matchup.”
Rambo tested Lavelle a few times early in the game. On the first, he won topside against the former Penn Quaker as Rambo refused a pick underneath and Lavelle momentarily took the bait. From there on out, though, Lavelle stayed on Rambo’s hip.
Near the end of the first half, Rambo charged at Lavelle at goal line extended, lowering his shoulder and aiming to run through the rookie. Lavelle met his physicality, though, winning the leverage battle by staying low and lifting the 215-pound Rambo off his feet. That stunted Rambo’s momentum, which allowed Lavelle to stay on his hands and force an off-balance, low-angle, off-hand shot from No. 9 in white.
That was the shining moment of Lavelle’s matchup with Rambo, but it was hardly the only highlight that stuck out from his debut. His individual defense against a former MVP was impressive, but so was his team defense writ large.
In the fourth quarter, Rambo used a slam pick from Adam Poitras to get separation from Lavelle. The rookie played within the Archers’ system, however, switching the matchup once he saw Rambo get a step on him and Connor Maher jump out to guard Rambo. He then stayed hot, splitting responsibilities between covering Poitras and getting ready to slide, helping to force a quick shot from Rambo.
Lavelle’s off-ball instincts were impressive. With Rambo at X, he took a chance to lunge at Aidan Carroll, successfully chopping down at his hands right when Caroll passed the ball to Rambo. His perfectly timed check sent the ball into the dirt and promptly out of bounds.
The No. 5 overall pick fit into the Archers defense immediately. He’s a stout addition alongside Graeme Hossack and Warren Jeffrey as another bruising, lockdown cover guy. Yet he also fits the persona of Utah defenders perfectly. The Archers’ defense prides itself on blocking shots, diving for runouts and protecting the back of the net at all costs.
With Utah down one late in the third quarter, Rob Pannell had a shot on the doorstep. Dobson made an impressive stop from his knees. If he hadn’t, though, Lavelle might have as he came flying into the cage as Pannell released the ball.
That’s effort that can’t be coached, and it’s the type of play that will get the Archers fired up about their rookie teammate – even more than the fact he locked down a former MVP in his first career game.
