Ian's 2025 PLL Season Preview (Sponsored by Browns Socialhouse)
Lacrosse Season is Back!
Who’s ready for summer lacrosse? Yes? Well, I have good news: The 2025 PLL season begins tomorrow, with the opening weekend in Albany for the New York Atlas Homecoming. Before the games start, I took the time to go through every PLL team and come up with the perfect preseason preview for the upcoming season. We’ll discuss the schedule, players to watch, and games to keep an eye on during the 2025 season.
So, please sit back, enjoy, and maybe crack open a cold one as we preview the biggest summer lacrosse league. And a friendly reminder that this post is unofficially sponsored by Browns Socialhouse, the Official After-Party of the Victoria Shamrocks (I’m not sure if it still is, to be honest. I remember making that post after every game when I worked for the Shamrocks, win or lose, so that’s why I made the joke. It’s funny to me, and that’s the most important thing.)
2025 PLL Schedule (and Theme Weekends)
Here is the 2025 PLL Schedule, featuring locations and theme weekends surrounding each week:
Week 1: May 30-31 at Casey Stadium in Albany, NY (Atlas Homecoming)
Week 2: June 6-7 at American Legion Memorial Stadium in Charlotte, NC (Chaos Homecoming)
Week 3: June 13-14 at Villanova Stadium in Villanova (Philadelphia), PA (Waterdogs Homecoming)
Week 4: June 21-22 at Homewood Field in Baltimore, MD (Whipsnakes Homecoming)
Week 5: June 27-28 at Torero Stadium in San Diego, CA (Redwoods Homecoming)
All-Star Weekend: July 4-5 at CPKC Stadium in Kansas City, MO
Week 7: July 11-12 at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium in Chicago, IL (Throwback Weekend)
Week 8: July 18-19 at Raffery Stadium in Fairfield, CT (Indigenous Heritage Weekend)
Week 9: July 25-26 at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman (Salt Lake City), UT (Archers Homecoming)
Week 10: August 1-2 at Peter Barton Stadium in Denver, CO (Outlaws Homecoming)
Week 11: August 8-9 at Harvard Stadium in Cambridge (Boston), MA (Cannons Homecoming)
Quarterfinals: August 23 at TCO Stadium in Minneapolis, MN
Semifinals: September 1 at Subaru Park in Chester (Philadelphia), PA
Championship: September 14 at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, NJ
This schedule includes eight weekends in their home cities and two neutral-site venues. It also marks the first PLL trip to Martin Stadium at Northwestern University, arguably the coolest venue on the circuit this year. However, it sounds like Fairfield needs to be on my bucket list of places to visit.
Who are the Teams, and What Should I Know About Them?
Excellent question. I’ll discuss each team from highest to lowest finish in the 2024 standings. I’m including where they got their name, some players to watch, and the most exciting game on their schedule. With that said, let’s begin!
Utah Archers (2024: 6-4, Won PLL Championship)
Team Name Origin
The Archers were among the first teams announced when the PLL formed in 2018. In late 2023, when the league announced that teams would get home cities, Salt Lake City became one of the eight hometowns. It’s a place that means a lot to the league and has been a consistent sell-out since day one, so Utah deserved a team.
Players to Know
It would be tough to mention Utah without mentioning guys like Tom Schreiber, Connor Fields, or Graeme Hossack controlling on the back end. However, I’d be remiss if I didn’t discuss Brett Dobson in goal. Dobson, a 25-year-old from Oshawa, led the league in save percentage last season and has won the PLL Championship twice in his first three seasons. Not too shabby.
Game to Watch: Denver vs. Utah (Sat, July 26th in Salt Lake City)
Last season, Utah took down Denver at home in the final game of the regular season to secure first place in the West. This year, they are scheduled to meet head-to-head again late in the season in Salt Lake. I am excited to see what this rematch looks like and if the Archers can use home-field advantage to their advantage once again.
Maryland Whipsnakes (2024: 6-4, Lost PLL Championship)
Team Name Origin
Like the Archers, the Whipsnakes were an original PLL team that rebranded into the Maryland Whipsnakes last season. They changed their colour scheme to red, black, and gold to match the Maryland state flag.
Players to Know
Matt Rambo rocks, and as a fellow big, sweaty guy, I love him. Maryland’s biggest addition this offseason was attackman Rob Pannell, who should give them even more firepower offensively. Yet, the Whipsnake I’m most excited for is TJ Malone. Malone was the PLL Rookie of the Year last year and scored in all but two games last season (regular and postseason combined). He’s one of, if not the most talented, young players in the game today.
Game to Watch: New York vs. Maryland (Sat, June 14th in Philadelphia)
In a rematch of the 2024 Semifinals, Maryland looks to continue their momentum against the Atlas after beating them in overtime last season. It also has the potential to be a high-scoring affair, considering the attacking players taking part. Must-see TV if you’re into that sort of thing.
New York Atlas (2024: 7-3, Lost PLL Semifinals)
Team Name Origin
New York received the Atlas because the bull in the logo represents New York and the iconic Wall Street Bull, a symbol of prosperity. The crest is also shaped like the NYPD shield, which makes me think these guys are pro-Blue Lives Matter. Sad!
Players to Know
Atlas attacker Jeff Teat is coming off one of the best seasons in lacrosse history. His 64 points in 2024 were 25 more than the next closest player, making him one of the biggest threats on the field. Not to mention, he’s surrounded by young studs like Connor Shellenberger and Xander Dickson, both of whom had 25 points or more last season. Finally, New York’s Tevor Baptiste is one of the hardest workers in the game. He got more ground balls than anyone last season, and still won two-thirds of his faceoffs. Watch him for just a few minutes, and you’ll appreciate all the work he does.
Game to Watch: New York vs. Boston (Sat, May 30th in Albany)
With Week 1 kicking off in Albany, the Atlas start the year with back-to-back games at home. I’m most excited for their game Saturday against Boston, as there should be plenty of offense. In their two games against one another in 2024, the winning team scored at least 17 goals and converted 33% of their shots. I expect more of the same this time around.
Carolina Chaos (2024: 4-6, Lost PLL Semifinals)
Team Name Origin
The Chaos were a founding PLL team that Carolina scooped up. They pride themselves on “Southern Swagger, Carolina Style”, which, sure, I guess. Their logo is a scorpion based on the Southern Devil Scorpion found in the Carolinas, which is news to me because I didn’t realize the Carolinas had scorpions. It seems less likely I’ll be visiting the area after hearing this information.
Players to Know
Blaze Riorden is a name to know among goalies in the league. Yes, he makes big saves and is an asset in the net, but also because he scored the second goalie goal in PLL history. Dudes rock.
Game to Watch: Carolina vs. Utah (Friday, August 8th in Boston)
A regular-season finale between Carolina and Utah on a Friday night in Boston has high potential. With potential playoff seeding on the line, I’m excited to see who steps up in a clash like this. It’s the second time in four weeks that they’ll play each other, meaning we could see a physical game too.
Boston Cannons (2024: 7-3, Lost PLL Quarterfinals)
Team Name Origin
The Cannons were originally an MLL team founded in 2001. They won the Steinfeld Cup in 2011 and 2020 during the COVID-shortened season. Following that year, they joined the PLL and dropped Boston from the name to become the Cannons Lacrosse Club. However, when the league brought back home cities last year, Boston reclaimed the Cannons.
Players to Know
After going through this roster, there’s a chance Boston could be the worst team in the PLL. It’s early, but I wanted to throw that out there. Marcus Holman and Asher Notling are solid attack pieces, and Zac Tucci isn’t a shabby faceoff specialist. But outside of those guys, it’s rather slim pickings.
Game to Watch: Boston vs. Denver (Sat, July 19th in Fairfield, CT)
This matchup marks the Pat Kavanaugh revenge game. Drafted sixth overall by the Cannons, Boston traded Kavanaugh after he requested a trade due to a poor fit. I will be tuned in as I would not be shocked if he went off for a hat trick (or more) in this battle against his former team.
Denver Outlaws (2024: 5-5, Lost PLL Quarterfinals)
Team Name Origin
Similar to the Cannons, Denver’s MLL team was named the Outlaws. However, they folded during the pandemic. However, when the PLL announced its home cities last season, it rebranded Chrome Lacrosse Club as the Denver Outlaws, a nod to the MLL team of the past—a nice gesture to say the least.
Players to Know
I mentioned Kavanaugh earlier, but he and Brennan O’Neil are going to snatch SOULS when they’re on the field together. At 24 and 23, they’re only just beginning to dominate the league. Also, shoutout Jake Piseno, who is the only Iroquois player on a team that is otherwise filled with Americans. He was an all-star last year as a long-stick midfielder and is one of the most underrated players in the league.
Game to Watch: California vs. Denver (Fri, May 30th in Albany)
I chose this game because it's a tone-setter for the Outlaws. Going in the first week of the year against one of the worst teams last season feels like a great chance to showcase yourselves to the rest of the league. I’m excited to see what Friday in Albany looks like for both teams, but especially the Outlaws.
California Redwoods (2024: 3-7, Missed Playoffs)
Team Name Origin
The Redwoods were an original PLL team. Then, they became the California Redwoods ahead of the 2024 season. It makes a lot of sense to me, outside of their “home stadium” being Torero Stadium. I guess San Diego is more of a lacrosse market, but for a team called the Redwoods, you would think it would make more sense to play in Northern California. But hey, what do I know?
Players to Know
When I was working for the WLA in 2019, the way people talked about Wes Berg was fascinating. He had the persona of a Greek God while scoring 66 points in 22 games (regular season and playoffs combined) with Maple Ridge and Coquitlam that year. Yes, it was box lacrosse compared to field, but still impressive. Other names to know include Andrew McAdorey and Sam English, who were drafted second and third overall by the Redwoods in the 2025 Draft and both play midfield.
Game to Watch: Carolina vs. California (Sat, July 12th in Chicago)
By the throwback weekend in Chicago, we’ll know what kind of team the Redwoods are. I believe this will be a measuring stick game for California to see where they fit in the PLL among the rest of the West Division. If they lose this, there’s a good chance we’re seeing them miss the playoffs again. If they win, I think we’ll see them playing postseason lacrosse.
Philadelphia Waterdogs (2024: 2-8, Missed Playoffs)
Team Name Origin
The Waterdogs were the first PLL expansion team, starting play in 2020. I have no idea why they rebranded to the Philly Waterdogs, but I guess they needed a team with an East Coast city, and Philly was as good as any.
Players to Know
CJ Kirst is coming off an outstanding career with Cornell lacrosse and was deservedly drafted first overall in the 2025 PLL Draft. He joins a team with some impressive midfielders, including Zach Currier, Connor Kelly, and Jack Hannah. Oh, and Dillion Ward is still a solid player between the pipes. Will this be enough to improve on last year’s 2-8 record? We shall see.
Game to Watch: Boston vs. Philadelphia (Friday, June 13th in Philadelphia)
The Waterdogs have an interesting start to the season. They’re on a bye in Week 1, play Maryland in Week 2, and then host the Philadelphia homecoming in Week 3 with games on Friday and Saturday. The pressure comes pretty quickly for Philly, and we’ll see how they handle it. A win against Boston would relieve some tension early on, especially during homecoming weekend.