Maryland Whipsnakes veteran goalie Kyle Bernlohr announced his retirement Wednesday, ending a decorated nine-year career in professional lacrosse. 

“It is with the heaviest of mixed emotions that after 25 years of living in the crease, I have decided to officially retire,” Bernlohr wrote in his retirement announcement. “This game has shaped my entire life, and I am so thankful for so many people who made me the player I am and helped cultivate a career in lacrosse. Family support, coaches, mentors, teammates -- my journey really was built by those around me.”

 

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A three-time champion (2017 Ohio Machine, 2019 Whipsnakes, 2020 Whipsnakes), six-time All-Star (2017-19, 2021-23) and the 2022 Oren Lyons Goalie of the Year, Bernlohr retires with 898 career saves (13th all-time) and a 10.8 saves-per-game average (11th all-time).

Bernlohr finished his career in the same state where he played in college (Maryland) with the team with which he earned most of his professional accolades — the Whipsnakes, under head coach Jim Stagnitta. 

“Kyle was a cornerstone to our success from the start of the PLL," Stagnitta said. "He made everyone on the defense better and had the trust of every player in our locker room. He was the model teammate. His preparation was second to none, and his understanding of shooters' tendencies was outstanding. His resilience was his greatest trait. You can never count Kyle out. He always came back from adversity. I feel fortunate to have coached one of the best at what I consider to be a position essential to team success. He had a truly great career.”

Bernlohr was a brick wall in the cage during his early years playing under Stagnitta’s guidance, posting a league-best 63% save percentage in 2020 as the Whipsnakes won their second straight PLL Championship. He also led the league in save percentage and saves against average in 2022, when he became the only PLL player to date to beat out Blaze Riorden for Goalie of the Year honors. 

The 35-year-old appeared in 44 games over his six PLL seasons and was the Whipsnakes' primary starting goaltender from 2019 to 2023. Bernlohr spent most of his final season backing up Brendan Krebs on a Whips team that reached the 2024 Cash App Championship before losing to the Utah Archers.

“To Coach Stags, thank you for setting the standard for what we wanted out of being a professional lacrosse player,” Bernlohr wrote. “From back-to-back PLL championships in ’19 and ’20, to struggling in ’21, to playing my best in ’22, to injuries in ’23 and ’24, you had my back the entire time and always gave me the benefit of the doubt. Your trust and confidence allowed me to be at my best. 

“To all of the Whipsnakes, nothing is better than the locker room. When I reflect on my professional career, I hardly think about the stuff on the field. The banter, the chirps, the pranks, the hotels -- nothing beats it. Every weekend in a different city for nine years were some of the best times of my life. Playing with so many of you in College Park and into the pros is one of the most unique and luckiest experiences in the world. ...

“Family, coaches, being in the right places at the right time, and a personal obsession with my craft... I’ve had the journey of a lifetime that I set out for 25 years ago. I just had no idea how special it was all going to be. Be The Best. -35”