Where to Watch

• Saturday, July 10
• 6:00 p.m. ET
• NBCSN and Peacock

Major Matchup

Two of the best faceoff specialists in the league this season going head-to-head calls for this week's major matchup. Joe Nardella (Whipsnakes) and rookie TD Ierlan (Redwoods) will battle it out in their first-ever meeting – one the fans have been awaiting. Ierlan is leading the league in faceoff percentage, winning 66% of his matchups at the stripe in his first PLL season. Nardella is second in the league with a 62% faceoff percentage. 

Nardella is arguably facing the toughest matchup of the season in Ierlan. Even after he won 72% at the stripe last week, the Whipsnakes only won by one goal. With wingman Michael Ehrhardt out of the lineup for the Whipsnakes, someone will need to step up to help Nardella in tomorrow’s showdown. 

The Rivalry

There’s not a bigger rivalry in professional lacrosse than this one. We can expect an all-out battle between both teams. The Whipsnakes have come out on top in four of the five meetings. In their first-ever meeting, the Redwoods defeated them 14-11 to snap their undefeated season. But in the 2019 Championship, the Whipsnakes got the better of them, defeating them 12-11. 

In the Championship Series, the Whipsnakes won both games. They won 13-19 in the first meeting and then won by one goal in the Championship Series to advance to the title game after Jeremy Sieverts scored the game-winning goal in overtime. 

While this game will mean a lot for everyone on this team, it will mean a little more for Redwoods midfielder Jules Heningburg, who was traded from the Whipsnakes to the Redwoods.

Chris Hogan back in action with the Whipsnakes

Former Cannons midfielder and Super Bowl champion Chris Hogan will be making his first appearance since Week 2 tomorrow. Earlier this week, the Cannons made a trade with the Whipsnakes that sent Hogan and Drew Simoneau to the back-to-back champions. The Cannons desperately needed a faceoff guy, and Cannons head coach Sean Quirk received Kevin Reisman, who helped lead them to an MLL title last season. 

What’s at Stake?

Besides the obvious bragging rights that are on the line, this game is a huge momentum swing before they go into the All-Star Break. 

Both teams are coming off of a one-game win streak, so any chance to add to the win column is exactly what you want for. If the Redwoods win, they would be 4-2, with their next game coming to the Archers on July 31. 

The Whipsnakes are 4-1, with their only loss coming against the Chrome last week. Their next game is against the Waterdogs on July 31.