Zach Carey: Archers’ defensive “fives” limit New York’s thumpers

Winning in the Lexus Championship Series after only scoring once in the fourth quarter is no small feat. 

That’s what the Utah Archers did on Friday night as their defense once again led them to victory.

After Dylan Molloy and Myles Jones combined for 13 points on Tuesday, the Archers held them to just five points on 4-for-14 shooting tonight. That’s the impact of burly defenders such as Beau Pederson, Piper Bond and Mason Woodward being able to match strength with strength. 

“Those guys are physical players,” Jones said postgame. “It’s a battle. We shook hands with those guys [after the game] and that’s the first thing we said. ‘Hey man, way to battle.’ It’s just mutual respect between big men getting after it.”

Sixes is a game where size wins. Friday’s matchup was one of the most physical battles in the Champ Series’ three year history. Molloy and Jones are two of the most dominant dodgers in this tournament, and Pederson and Bond contained them by refusing to back down. Watching Pederson in particular battle with Asher Nolting on Wednesday and then Molloy and Jones on Friday has been a treat. 

Pederson is the ideal “five” of Sixes lacrosse. Like a lockdown center in basketball, Pederson can battle in the post against the biggest, baddest dudes in the game. 

“If I can get to those guys, you know, it kind of lends itself to my game,” Pederson said postgame. “[I’m] trying to get those matchups. But, if it doesn’t happen, I’ve got all the confidence in the world in Piper, Maher [and] Woody.”

Then, like they did on Wednesday against the Cannons, Utah’s defensive stars produced on the other end. Woodward nailed a pair of two-pointers, finishing tied for the second most points on the team. Pederson also hit his first career two-ball and added an assist in the process. Meanwhile, Bond and Maher each scored two goals apiece.

“Those guys are giving us the production,” head coach Chris Bates said after the win. “I think everybody knows their role in this group. We play to our strengths as best we can. Then we give everybody an opportunity to be able to handle the ball.” 

New York opted to face guard Mac O’Keefe for the majority of this Valentine’s Day matchup. While the Atlas managed to limit the lefty sharpshooter to just two points on 1-for-8 shooting, O’Keefe helped create space for his teammates. Cole Williams especially benefited as he led Utah in scoring with four goals and an assist. 

“Mac is a pretty egoless player,” Williams said postgame. “He was creating space for me. [And then I] just kind of do what I do, right? Just taking in the middle of the field as much as I possibly can. Clearing out for me was the best thing that Mac could have done at that point.” 

Utah’s two wins this week have reflected heck of a turnaround for a club that went 0-4 at the Championship Series last year. Now, the Archers are a victory away from clinching a spot in the championship game on Monday and, with it, a day of rest on Sunday. They’ll face off against the Whipsnakes on Saturday evening with that goal in mind.

Up next for Utah: vs. Maryland Whipsnakes (Saturday, 8 p.m. ET)

Paul Lamonaca: Stagnant offense holds back New York against Utah

It was quite the downturn for the New York Atlas as the team suffered their first loss of the 2025 Lexus Championship Series. 

New York allowed 34 shots on goal with star goalkeeper Liam Entenmann only being able to make thirteen saves. 

New York’s offense was held to just 97 passes in total, the lowest recorded by a team at the 2025 Lexus Championship Series. 

“They limit your passes by pressing out offensively,” said Atlas acting head coach Steven Brooks who commended the Archers’ defensive gameplan. “When they do that it’s really tough because your guys have to work extra hard.”

Utah used their athletic duo of Woodward and Pederson to press out on New York’s top shooters in Molloy and Jones. Both Jones and Molloy finished the game shooting 4-for-14 combined. 

Despite the slow offensive pace, Bryan Costabile finished the game with twelve points. Costabile currently leads the Championship Series with 15 scoring points and has set himself as a serious contender for the Golden Stick Award.

From 2023, New York’s two point attempts have dropped significantly. After averaging 17 two-point shots per game, the New York offense has averaged just 10.5 shots through two games. 

“Two years ago was two years ago, and we did an outstanding job of shooting two’s,” said coach Brooks. “We’re seeing a lot of teams press out a little bit more and try to disrupt that area. Almost every game I watch, every team is maintaining the two point threat because they know how much of a swing a two-point goal is.”

Even with the loss, coach Brooks was proud of how hard his team fought until the end of the game. Early in the first quarter, New York lost a player with newcomer Christian Mulé suffering a lower body injury. 

“That was a heavyweight bout right there. Two great teams just battling,” said coach Brooks. “I am so proud of these and I know It’s not the outcome we want…these guys all bought in, like I said before the game, it’s a band of brothers and they stuck together.”

Up next for New York: vs. Boston Cannons (Saturday, 6 p.m. ET)