What a difference a week makes. After failing to score until four minutes left in the second quarter last Sunday against the Whipsnakes in Hamilton, Ontario, the Redwoods sought to extend their playoff hopes and put last weekend’s 17-4 blowout loss and a three game losing streak behind them.
Archers and Atlas wrapped up Week 8 of the Premier Lacrosse League season with playoff hopes on the line. Both standing at 3-4, this game was monumental in determining their chances at a playoff berth.
After giving up 20 goals in a shocking loss to Chrome in Week 8, Whipsnakes came back with renewed focus and were locked in on clinching a playoff berth. For the Redwoods, the impact of Greg Gurenlian’s return to the faceoff X was muted by the unfortunate injuries of defensive leader Eddy Glazener and offensive stalwart Matt Kavanagh.
The second meeting between the Redwoods and Chaos started in a similar fashion to their first match up…with a Sergio Salcido goal.
Early in the second meeting between the Whipsnakes and the Chrome, you’d be hard pressed to tell which team was tied for first place and which had won only one game entering this weekend.
Sunday’s Archers vs. Chrome matchup was a game between two teams fighting for their postseason lives – neither team could afford another loss. The Archers were looking to pick back up their momentum, after coming out hot at the start of the season, but faltered to four-straight loses. Heading into Sunday, Chrome somehow had a positive goal differential despite being 1-5.
As the sun set behind Banc of California Stadium Sunday night, the best players in the world took center stage for the first PLL All-Star Game. Between an around-the-world assist and bounce passes, the game featured incredible saves and tons of assisted goals.
Atlas and Redwoods kicked off Week 7 action as teams came together after a two-week break. More accurately, Atlas kicked off Week 7 action as the Redwoods were nowhere to be found to begin this contest.
Defense ruled the early stages of Saturday’s Redwoods and Archers matchup in the first quarter, with both teams raking up a total of three points. Archers’ Christian Cuccinello and Kevin Rice helped the team out with two in the first quarter. Redwoods’ standout Brent Adams scored the lone first quarter goal for the Redwoods and awakened the team from their slumber.
Undefeated no more. Redwoods hand the Whipsnakes their first loss of the season in Week 5 in Atlanta. This one took a bit to get going but was action packed and a close contest at the end. The low scoring first quarter was not shocking considering the two teams give up the least amount of goals in the league.