Terps In The PLL: Week One Recap
6/4/2024 2:06:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - It was a great first week in the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) and Maryland's ProTerps were at the center of it!
From big performances, to professional debuts, to first appearances on new teams, the Terps did it all over the weekend in Albany, NY for hometown weekend for the New York Atlas. The Atlas and Brett Makar had a big homecoming weekend, going 2-0.
Next up the league heads to Charlotte for four games on June 7 and 8.
Read on for a full rundown on the ProTerps' Week One performances.
The New York Atlas celebrated their homecoming weekend in style, going 2-0 in two convincing wins over the Cannons and Whipsnakes. 2023 graduate Brett Makar started in both games at close defense and caused a turnover against the Whipsnakes. Afterwards, the Yorktown native shared a sweet moment with his family.
The moment @Brettmakar found his family in the stands after the @PLLAtlas game. 🥹🩵
— Premier Lacrosse League (@PremierLacrosse) June 4, 2024
An extra special Homecoming Weekend for the New York native. pic.twitter.com/jpmu0LmnQh
Bryce Young, a longtime Maryland Whipsnake, made his Cannons debut in dominant fashion. Despite taking the loss to the Atlas, Young finished with two caused turnovers and three groundballs. SSDM Bubba Fairman continued his impressive play at that position and scooped two groundballs.
The recently rebranded Denver Outlaws had four Terps play over the weekend. Logan Wisnauskas led the way in the close loss with four points (3G, 1A) to go along with five groundballs. Luke Wierman made his PLL debut and was excellent at the faceoff dot, going 18-of-27 with 10 groundballs. Team captain Jesse Bernhardt had two groundballs and a caused turnover while LSM Nick Grill had three groundballs.
WIS AGAIN!
— Denver Outlaws (@DenverOutlaws) June 2, 2024
Cross finds Logan in the 2nd quarter to give us 3 👏 pic.twitter.com/6ySMB2NPq4
The California Redwoods did not play in the opening weekend slate.
Despite the Waterdogs' comeback attempt falling just short, Connor Kelly excelled in the season opener, notching a hat trick.
starting off 2024 doing what he does best: SCORING GOALS 🚨👏@connor21kelly finished saturday with 3P for the SECOND-STRAIGHT opening weekend (2023: 1G/ 1 2PTG, 2024: 3G) 👏 pic.twitter.com/XOuixLF6a4
— Philadelphia Waterdogs (@PLLWaterdogs) June 3, 2024
With an incredible 10 WhipTerps on the roster, several hardshells played big roles in the first game with Maryland as the team's official home. The Whipsnakes started an entirely Terp close defense of Matt Dunn, Tim Muller, and 2024 graduate Ajax Zappitello. Mike Chanenchuk notched five points, including a pair of two-bombs and Matt Rambo had a pair of assists. SSDM Roman Puglise also scored while Kyle Bernlorh started in cage. Jake Bernhardt, Keeghan Khan and Colin Heacock also all played, with the latter making his Whipsnakes debut.
.@RomanPuglise was NOT going down without a fight. 😤👏
— Maryland Whipsnakes (@PLLWhipsnakes) June 3, 2024
He capped off an incredible 8-1 run in the comeback effort yesterday with this insane shot around his defender. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/cJQVlcyXkm
TWO WORDS: MIKE CHANENCHUK.
— Maryland Whipsnakes (@PLLWhipsnakes) June 2, 2024
Another two-pointer from #1 brings us within five on ESPN+. pic.twitter.com/BczrEm8wvB
This Maryland close defense is SCARY 😳🐍
— Maryland Whipsnakes (@PLLWhipsnakes) June 2, 2024
First look at @Ajaxzap4 on the Maryland Whipsnakes. pic.twitter.com/lmeDiOv3Jg
