Fourth quarter. Down two points. Out of a timeout. How many teams would draw up a set play designed for a LSM to shoot?

The Waterdogs, for one. Head coach Andy Copelan uses Ryland Rees as an offensive weapon, on the wing of the league’s best faceoff unit, and in a defense that dominated down the stretch in 2021.

Although he carries a longpole, Ryland Rees is as much of a two-way midfielder as the Waterdogs’ short-sticks. His skills are ridiculous -- he scored off a nasty face dodge in Colorado Springs and buried a rare sidearm pole goal on opening weekend.