At its core, the Whipsnakes’ 2025 season was not about a passing of the torch, but the sharing of it.
After Zed Williams was traded to Philadelphia in the offseason and Kyle Bernlohr and Mike Chanenchuk retired, it became clear that Maryland would have a slightly different identity than in previous years.
Even with the signing of veteran Rob Pannell, the team’s identity was largely shaped by the Whipsnakes’ young core, as Maryland reached its seventh consecutive postseason thanks to the outstanding play of its first- and second-year stars.
While young players rose to the occasion in the biggest moments, it was the steady hand of veteran leadership that ultimately held the 2025 Whipsnakes together – and will keep them together for years to come.
Embracing their young core
For the second regular season in a row, TJ Malone led the Whips in points (18G, 1T, 14A). But this year, he produced while being the opponent’s focal point on offense, rather than playing in the shadows of former MVPs Williams and Matt Rambo. The attention from opposing defenses was now fully fixed on him, and he delivered consistently throughout the season.
Pannell signed with the Whips in March, and at the time, it seemed he would fill Williams’ old spot at attack. But after Rambo went scoreless in the Whips’ first two games, it became increasingly unclear what Maryland’s attack would look like for the rest of the season.
Matt Brandau, who was acquired from the Waterdogs in exchange for Williams in December, got a shot at attack. Still, head coach and general manager Jim Stagnitta quickly realized that the 26-year-old Yale alumnus was more of a threat in the midfield, and his gut check paid off.
Brandau went on to lead the league in goals as a midfielder (22) and quadrupled his production from his rookie season with the Waterdogs, when he notched only six points (4G, 2A).
With Brandau thriving coming out of the box, there was still a space below the cage, and Aidan Carroll filled that void.
The first-round draft pick out of Georgetown set a Whipsnakes single-season rookie record for goals scored (21), passing Malone’s record (19) that he set last season. Not only was he aggressive, the same way he was with the Hoyas, but he was extremely efficient.
“For a first-year player, his composure and his ability to execute and do the things we ask him to do is terrific,” Stagnitta said.
The 6-foot, 190-pounder had the highest shooting percentage on the team (38.2%) and was Maryland’s leading scorer (4G, 1A) in its quarterfinal loss to Philadelphia.
On defense, Maryland’s first and second years starred in their own right.
Sophomore Ajax Zappitello led the league in caused turnovers (17), including four games with three or more, and earned his first All-Star nod despite being snubbed from a Defensive Player of the Year nomination.
Christian Mazur, the West Point grad, led Maryland’s short-stick midfielders in caused turnovers (four) and ground balls (13), and was a starter alongside captain Jake Bernhardt for the entire regular season.
After a rocky first career start against the Waterdogs in Charlotte, Emmet Carroll made his mark in the cage as a rookie. He rounded out the year with three 15-plus save performances and never finished a game with fewer than 10 saves.
He led the league in two-point saves (95.2%) and posted a 56.2% save percentage in his first season with the Whipsnakes.
In the past, the Whipsnakes’ identity was defined by long-tenured stars like Rambo, Williams, Bernlohr and Chanenchuk. But in 2025, Maryland proved it could lean on its younger talent to carry the load, win games and clinch another playoff appearance.
Learning from the best
Defense
Even though Zappitello led the league in caused turnovers, the experience he has gained over the past two seasons playing alongside two-time champions Matt Dunn and Tim Muller is unparalleled, and one of the reasons the Whipsnakes boasted the No. 1 defense in the league.
Dunn is a three-time Defensive Player of the Year and earned his eighth consecutive All-Star appearance this year.
Maryland’s trio of Terrapin defenders, alongside Emmet Carroll, powered the Whipsnakes to allow the fewest scores (108) in the league this season.
“[Carroll] is extremely level-headed and practical,” Dunn said. “He is steady, which is an incredible trait for a goalie. He shares what he is seeing and helps to keep us on track.”
“We all talk in those huddles, which is what I love about our group, from Emmet as a rookie to Ajax as a second year, or more of the veteran guys,” Dunn continued. “Everyone has really great insight, and we all share. It’s been impressive to see this dynamic from the younger guys and older guys.”
Beyond their physical talents, Dunn and Muller embody the leadership that has carried the Whipsnakes to four championship appearances since 2019. Their commanding presence anchors the defense and sets the standard for all 10 players on the field, establishing a foundation of trust and discipline that defines the team’s identity.
“When [Dunn and Muller] are telling you to give it all you got, you owe it to them, and you owe it to the rest of the team, and you owe it to yourself to go out there and do it,” Brandau said.
Because of his unwavering influence on and off the field, Dunn is nominated for the Brendan Looney Leadership Award.
“I do leadership for a living,” Stagnitta said, “and I’m just so proud of how he leads his team.”
Faceoff
Joe Nardella, another member of the original 2019 Whipsnakes roster, has been a leader in his own right, working together with fifth-year long-stick midfielder Colin Squires and second-year midfielder Adam Poitras to form the No. 1 faceoff unit in the league.
“[Nardella] comes up with a great plan for Adam and I to be prepared and in the right position on the wings,” Squires said. “So that’s kind of a reason, in my opinion, why he has so much success, is kind of that preparation that he puts in during the week to put us in the best possible position.”
Nardella (56), Squires (35) and Poitras (35) combined for 126 ground balls and emerged victorious on 57.3% of Maryland’s faceoffs. Their unit helped sway the momentum, consistently gaining extra possessions and scoring opportunities for the Whips’ offense.
“He got the ball when we needed it, giving us opportunities when we needed it, like down the stretch, I thought we really started to click on the early offense. And I think Joe could feel it,” Stagnitta said after Maryland’s 16-12 come-from-behind victory against New York.
Nardella is a finalist for the Faceoff Athlete of the Year award, an honor he previously received in 2020.
This year, he became the fastest player in professional lacrosse history to reach 1,500 faceoff wins. He finished the season just under 60%, 1.1% behind Carolina Chaos specialist Justin Inacio, who led the league in faceoff percentage at 60.9%.
Attack
Malone got to see firsthand what it takes to be the trigger man from Pannell, who quarterbacked the California Redwoods for four seasons. As the season progressed, Malone became an initiator below the cage, carefully deciding whether to attack the crease or feed a cutting teammate.
He had the most touches on the team (314) and paced the Whips in assists with 14, one more than Pannell finished with. He quarterbacked his way to a victory against the Waterdogs, using his vision to assist Brandau on the Whipsnakes’ final three goals to seal an 8-0 run and a comeback win.
“[Malone] threw me open, I think every time,” Brandau said. “Playing with that kid is incredible.”
His vision is something he might have picked up from not only watching, but now playing with Pannell for a full season. Pannell became the all-time leader in assists and the first member of the 300-assist club this year.
“I remember always watching Rob’s highlights growing up,” Malone said in training camp. “I really loved the way that he played as an ultimate quarterback. Ever since middle school, I have started watching Rob. I would be in history class watching his highlights. I have always admired the way that Rob played.”
Pannell’s confidence and veteran leadership also helped mold Maryland’s Rookie of the Year nominee, Aidan Carroll. The former MVP called Carroll a “pro-level athlete” in training camp, and the rookie did more than live up to the hype he had coming into the league.
“He’s already earned the trust of us veterans and the other guys on the team,” Pannell said in May. “When he has the ball, he has the green light.”
Carroll finished the year shooting above 35% with both hands, and nearly a third of his goals came from his non-dominant left hand.
“He’s gotten better all season long,” Pannell said after Saturday’s quarterfinal loss to the Waterdogs. “He plays confidently. He can shoot the ball with both hands. He’s just so impressive to watch.”
What’s next?
The balance between the Whipsnakes’ veteran leadership and youthful energy has allowed both groups to thrive while sharing the spotlight. For Maryland’s younger players, the chance to learn from some of the league’s best feeders, defensemen and faceoff specialists not only elevated their game this season, but also ensured the program’s tradition of excellence will continue for years to come.
“I think the future is very bright. And again, as we always do, we’ll evaluate where we are in the off-season, but this is just a terrific group of guys,” Stagnitta said. “People talk about culture. Culture is about the people. Our people are all on the same page. They care. They come every week, and they respond to everything in a positive way. …
“There’s nothing I can say that any of these guys need to do better in order to be a good teammate or a good locker room guy.”
Maryland’s core is largely locked in for the future. Malone, Bradau, Pannell, Dunn, Muller, Zappitello and midfielder Brad Smith are all under contract through 2026.
That means the league’s top-scoring midfielder, the league leader in caused turnovers and the runner-up in two-point goals all are set to return next season. They’ll be joined by 2025 rookies Aidan Carroll, Emmet Carroll, Mazur and Jack McDonald, each signed through 2027.
Yet, one piece that is not a sure thing for 2026 is the return of Squires, who will be a notable free agent this offseason. The rest of his faceoff unit – Nardella and Poitras – is signed through next season. Since 2024, Maryland has had the league’s top faceoff group, and Squires collected 35-plus ground balls in each of the last two seasons.
Bernhardt also is set to hit free agency, along with midfielders Colin Heacock and Jack Koras and goalie Brendan Krebs. The 35-year-old Bernhardt is a three-time champion who just completed his 14th professional season, ranking tied for 14th all-time in games played (148).
Pannell, who just played his 13th season, did not have a clear answer about what is in store for him next season. After Maryland’s quarterfinal loss to Philadelphia, he said: “Honestly, I even started thinking about next season yet.”
“I will say, personally, that each and every week with the Whipsnakes has gotten better and better as I’ve been part of this team,” he continued. “I’ve gotten more and more comfortable being around these guys, and being myself and being a leader. Thanks to Coach Stags, who allowed me to do that. So, I’m just focused on the locker room right now, this game and just being with the guys. So, unfortunately, we’ll have time to think about next season.”
Pannell said preseason that he told himself: “If I am going to make a change in teams, I’m going to give that team two years.”
“When you are going to a new team, you want to give it time,” he continued. “You don’t want to say you are going to make a change for one year and change things again after that, or be done. It’s a big commitment to leave a team that you have been with and had so many relationships, and it takes time to build relationships and build that chemistry on the team that you are going to.”
The rest of the Whipsnakes’ roster — including Rambo, midfielders Levi Anderson, Kyle Aldridge, Ryan Aughavin and Ryan Conrad, LSM Alex Mazzone, SSDM Roman Puglise and faceoff specialist Matthew Paolatto — are signed through 2026, giving the team added stability moving forward.
The holes the Whipsnakes need to fill haven’t been created just yet. If Squires chooses to re-sign in the offseason, he would solidify the league’s top faceoff unit for another season and complete the roster that carried Maryland to the postseason this year.
