Who Will Win Whipsnakes LC’s Final SSDM Spot?
By Adam Lamberti
May 26, 2023
The 30-man roster for Whipsnakes LC will report to training camp this Saturday in Albany. After three days of practice and scrimmages, the roster will be trimmed down to 25 players on Wednesday, May 31. Whipsnakes LC Head Coach and General Manager Jim Stagnitta will have to make some difficult personnel decisions, especially at the offensive midfield, defensive midfield, and goalie positions.
Battle #2 - Defensive Midfield (Garrett Leadmon vs Grayson Sallade)
Leadmon was the third-round draft pick of the Whipsnakes LC in the 2023 PLL draft while Sallade was an undrafted free agent signing. Both are battling for the last defensive midfield spot on the roster in my estimation. Tyler Warner, Jake Bernhardt, Connor Kirst, and Roman Puglise are all locks to make the roster, leaving one (or possibly zero) spots for Leadmon or Sallade.
Playing both offensive and defensive midfield at Duke, Leadmon is listed as a defensive midfielder on the Whipsnakes LC roster which is where many thought he would play at the professional level. His two-way ability is enticing and a huge plus, but I have questions about his settled defense.
Sallade is more of a traditional defensive midfielder. Possessing the tenacity and grit that most Virginia defensive midfielders have, he’s still very much an offensive threat in transition while also playing scrappy defense.
