The Factory: Maryland Lacrosse is the DNA of a Pro Dynasty in the Making

With the dust settling in the Professional Lacrosse League playoffs, only two teams remain in the hunt for the coveted PLL Championship. 

Sunday, September 19, marks the second straight year where the Whipsnakes Lacrosse Club will take on the Chaos Lacrosse Club in the title game, this time meeting at Audi Field in Washington, D.C., after both teams secured upsets in the semifinals. 

The Whipsnakes are the only champions the PLL has ever known. They are the current two-time defending champions and boast a roster bursting with former University of Maryland lacrosse stars. 

Current Whipsnakes Matt Rambo, Jake Bernhardt, Brian Phipps, John Haus, Michael Ehrhardt, Tim Muller, Mike Chanenchuk, Bryce Young, Jay Carlson, Kyle Bernlohr, Nick Manis, and Matt Dunn all once starred at Maryland as Terps. 

The Maryland men’s lacrosse team has dominated PLL rosters since the league's inception in 2019, producing more players than any other school. Affectionately referred to as “The Factory” by the program's alumni, Maryland has produced some of the world’s best players under head coach John Tillman.

In that inaugural season of 2019, Rambo won the Jim Brown Most Valuable Player and Eamon McEneaney Attackman of the Year awards before leading the Whipsnakes to the first-ever championship.

Rambo was a bonafide star in College Park, leading the 2017 Terrapin team to the school's first NCAA Championship since 1975. He became the first male recipient of the Tewaarton Award in 2017, as well, and graduating as the school's all-time leading goals and points scorer. 

Now a professional, Rambo is once again showcasing the electric play-making ability and flair for the dramatics he once did in College Park. And he is still doing it surrounded by Terps. 

“I think the fans can tell that we play together as one,” Rambo said. “I think it goes back to a lot of the off-the-field stuff. We all hang out, we all talk, and we’re all humble. It’s all about just playing together as one.”

That unselfish style of play ("Hitting singles," as Rambo is oft to say.) quickly catapulted the Whipsnakes into the upper echelon of the PLL and has sparked a potential dynasty while the league is still in its infancy.

Goalie Brian Phipps has been in the spotlight for years as not only is he an outstanding player in the net, but he is also a Maryland lacrosse legacy. His father, Wilson, was a member of that 1975 national championship team, and his brother, Michael, was an All-America attackman in 2007. 

"My role doesn’t change, whether I’m in the pipes, on the sidelines, or wearing a coaching hat. I want to bring whatever I can to help our guys on and off the field,” Phipps said after making six second-half saves in the Whips' 14-13 win over the Redwoods in the first round of the PLL Playoffs. “It’s just the way I was brought up, being a teammate first and an individual second.”

When Phipps made his first start for the Whipsnakes in the PLL Semifinals vs. the top-seeded Waterdogs, the Whips got a much-needed boost. Phipps stopped 13 shots in the 14-10 win.

On the brink of winning it all, Phipps is happy to do it alongside his fellow Terps and the team that he loves. 

“I don’t think I’d be having the success that I’m having without the comfortability and belief in the teammates that I have,” Phipps said. “We have a lot of history together whether it’s on the field or in the locker room.”

Carlson is another key contributor on the Whipsnakes with both he and Rambo being tied for second on the team in points. 

Rambo calls Carlson the best inside player he’s ever played with and the chemistry that the two have has allowed the Whipsnakes offense to blossom into the most ferocious attack in the league. 

With the roller coaster of emotions that the team has gone through this season, Carlson is glad to have persevered through it alongside his teammates and thinks it has made them better going forward. 

“We went through a lot this year,” Carlson said. “We had some injuries and it wasn’t always easy. We had a couple of games early where we won but then guys got banged up. We definitely went through some adversity but it was a good test for us.”

The University of Maryland has become a factory for lacrosse players across both the men’s and women’s teams. The programs have combined for a staggering 11 Tewaarton Awards, with two men’s winners coming in the last five seasons. 

Tillman has brought Maryland men’s lacrosse back to the spotlight and turned them into a national force as it has become a championship contender year in and year out. 

With stars of the past like Rambo, Phipps, and Carlson and stars from the most recent run like Jared Bernhardt and Logan Wisnauskas, Tillman is proud of the culture his team has cultivated and is at his happiest knowing his players are succeeding in life after college. 

Tillman and over 40 past Maryland lacrosse players will be at Audi Field on Sunday as they’ll be cheering on the people they consider to be family. 

“It’s awesome,” Tillman said. “Seeing these guys still passionate about the game and representing the program so well. They’re playing the game in such a team-first and playing so hard which sets such a good example for our players. It’s like having a big family and a lot of children and it’s awesome.”

With the PLL championship game quickly approaching, the Whipsnakes will look to their experience and their cohesiveness to once again put them over the top. 

Matt Rambo looks forward to every game he plays, but to play a championship game so close to where he played his college ball, alongside so many of his fellow Terps, and in front of so many more is something that he will cherish forever. 

“If we get it done I think it will be very special,” Rambo said. “One’s not easy, two’s not easy, but three is hard because then you get that dynasty tag on you. This is going to be the hardest one yet and I’m excited for the journey. We’ll see what happens.”