The 2024 regular season for the Carolina Chaos was marked by great defense and a struggling offense. A piece of the squad that’s flown under the radar is the faceoff unit. 

The Chaos have the second-lowest faceoff percentage (37%) in the Premier Lacrosse League and the lowest of any team in the Cash App Playoffs. Struggles at the stripe have led to low possession numbers for the Chaos, who need as much possession as possible.

For nine games of the 10-game regular season, Nick Rowlett was the starting faceoff specialist for Carolina. Rowlett was listed on the injury report ahead of the Chaos’s season finale against the Boston Cannons. James Reilly was signed a day later and started the game in Rowlett’s place.

With two faceoff specialists on the roster and below-average numbers on the season at the stripe, a new question arises: Is Rowlett or Reilly the best option for Carolina?

It has to be a game-by-game decision that head coach and general manager Andy Towers and his staff make.

Against the Cannons in the quarterfinals, Reilly is the best option. During the final game of the regular season against Boston, Reilly was 12-of-24 (50%) on faceoffs and looked great at times against Zac Tucci. 

Tucci has elite foot speed and can generate offense for Boston, but Reilly did a good job of keeping it to a minimum. 

Reilly was streaky in his first start for Carolina. In the first quarter, he won four straight faceoffs after losing the opening one of the game. He then followed the four wins with five losses.

Lacrosse is a game of runs, and streaky performances at the stripe can lead to scoring sprees and droughts. Carolina’s excellent defense, though, makes it less stressful for the rope unit to remain hot because it regularly shuts down opposing offenses.

Rowlett has never faced off against Tucci in the PLL or college. Throwing him into the lineup against a guy who he’s never taken reps against isn’t the best formula for Carolina. 

If the Chaos beat the Cannons, should Reilly stay the starter?

Simple answer: No.

A win against Boston would mean a matchup with the New York Atlas and Trevor Baptiste. Baptiste is a four-time Paul Cantabene Faceoff Player of the Year and has fared well against Rowlett and Reilly.

Reilly went 25% in his one matchup with Baptiste, and Rowlett has performances of 28% and 25%.

Rowlett is the better option for this game from a chemistry standpoint because he’s spent more time with the wings of the rope unit. To win draws against Baptiste, it takes full effort from every member of the rope unit and then some.

However, if Reilly went north of 60% against Boston, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him get the start over Rowlett.

The final decision ultimately comes down to what the coaching staff feels most comfortable throwing out on the 19-man roster. There is one roster spot for faceoff specialists each week, so Towers and his crew need to make a strong decision to advance through the postseason.