“We take people off the field during those last few seconds and they’ll usually run off with you,” said Stagnitta. “So we could end up playing 4-on-4, 5-on-5 – it could even be 3-on-3 if we get everybody off, which gives you an advantage and takes the slide away.”

Midfielders owning their roles

The Whipsnakes don’t always punt. On fourth-and-short, they’ll keep their six offensive players on the field. Two-way capable midfielders allow them that luxury.

“Most of our middies – a guy like John Haus and Joe LoCascio – they can get back and they can get in and they can survive on the defensive end without us having to give up any type of unsettled situation,” said Stagnitta.

Stagnitta has a knack for finding players talented enough to play that role and humble enough to own it. Drew Snider – lost to the Waterdogs in the expansion draft – got his start in professional lacrosse from Coach Stagnitta as a defensive midfielder almost a decade ago. It was a new role at the time. Snider used the opportunity to earn a larger role, a gold medal with Team USA in 2018, and four professional championships.

“For us to be successful, guys have to buy into that kind of culture that some days my role is going to be bigger than others, but all these roles are big when you put it all together,” said Stagnitta.

The Whipsnakes are bringing in a new group of midfielders ready to buy into the culture. Brad Smith, Zed Williams, and recently acquired Max Tuttle can all do multiple things. Smith is a midfielder by nature but played attack his senior year at Duke. Tuttle played attack in college, mostly defensive midfielder as a rookie in the PLL, and projects to see more time on offense with the Whips. Zed Williams does everything.

Rambo: Last Blood

Part of the reason the Whips’ fourth down strategy works so well is because of their punter: Matt Rambo. Even with low time, Rambo gives his team a chance to score. In a 5-on-6 situation, he can put his head down and create shots instead of turnovers.

“One of the things we don’t want to do is we don’t want to force-feed that ball into the middle and then have it roll to the top of the box and have the other team pick it up at the buzzer and have an advantage to play unsettled,” said Stagnitta. Rambo makes sure that happens. The Whipsnakes turned the ball over 2.8 times per game with nine seconds or less on the clock – nearly a full turnover (and ensuing fast break) below the league average (3.7).

Rambo’s passes are safe. He could have forced it to the crease here; instead, he rolled back, and found John Haus on the back side. (Also, note Joe LoCascio hoofing it to the box as Haus winds up.)