Justin Ivey, Co-Editor
Lacrosse is Awesome©
Location: Rafferty Stadium, Fairfield, Connecticut
There’s nothing better than live lacrosse, and this weekend I finally get to experience the PLL and WLL in person as the league rolls into Connecticut for three full days of action. I’m excited to trade the couch for the sidelines and see these teams up close—from the speed of the game and the matchups away from the ball to the chemistry that can be hard to appreciate on television. After a solid 3–2 week, I’m hoping a little firsthand scouting gives Justin’s Picks an edge as we head deeper into the second half of the season. Then again, if history has taught us anything, seeing the games in person doesn’t guarantee better predictions—but it should make missing them a lot more entertaining. Let’s get to the picks!
Season Stats
PLL – 11-16
WLL – 1-5
Worst Prediction from Week 7:
Outlaws over Cannons. Where did that Boston team come from? Apparently the Cannons forgot to tell everyone they were supposed to be struggling on offense.
Best Prediction from Week 7:
Waterdogs over Redwoods. Picking against the hottest team in the league isn’t easy, but Philadelphia proved it belongs in the championship conversation with a statement win over California.
Friday, July 17
California Redwoods vs. Maryland Whipsnakes – 6:00 PM EDT
Winner: California Redwoods
I’m sticking with the Redwoods to open the weekend because I expect them to bounce back after last week’s loss. One off game doesn’t change the fact that California has been one of the most complete teams in the PLL this season, built on disciplined defense, balanced scoring, and an ability to respond when challenged. Maryland is playing excellent lacrosse and has looked even more dangerous with Joey Spallina becoming increasingly comfortable in the offense, but I think the Redwoods come into Fairfield with something to prove. California has shown all season that it doesn’t dwell on losses, and I expect a focused, physical effort against one of the league’s top teams. This should be a playoff-caliber matchup from the opening faceoff, but I like the Redwoods to remind everyone why they’ve been one of the biggest surprises of the season.
Boston Guard vs. Maryland Charm – 8:30 PM EDT
Winner: Maryland Charm
I’m taking the Charm to keep rolling because they’ve quietly become one of the hottest teams in the WLL. Maryland has continued to build confidence each week, with a balanced offense and strong team chemistry making them difficult to slow down. Boston remains a talented group, but there’s no denying the impact of losing Charlotte North for the season. One of the league’s premier scorers and leaders, North leaves a significant void that’s incredibly difficult to replace. The Guard will continue to compete because of their depth and experience, but I think the Charm have more momentum entering this weekend. If Maryland continues to play the disciplined, unselfish lacrosse we’ve seen recently, I expect them to extend their winning streak with another impressive victory.
Saturday, July 17
Carolina Chaos vs. Denver Outlaws – 2:00 PM EDT
Winner: Denver Outlaws
I’m taking the Outlaws in this matchup because I think last week’s loss serves as a wake-up call rather than the start of a slide. Denver simply has too much offensive talent to stay quiet for long, and Brennan O’Neill continues to be the biggest difference-maker on the field every time he steps between the lines. The Chaos are coming off a tough loss of their own and will undoubtedly bring their trademark physicality and defensive intensity, but they’ve struggled to generate enough offense to consistently keep pace with the league’s top teams. I expect both clubs to come out with something to prove, making this one of the more physical games of the weekend. In the end, I think O’Neill puts the Outlaws on his back with another standout performance and leads Denver to an important bounce-back victory.
Utah Archers vs. Philadelphia Waterdogs – 4:30 PM EDT
Winner: Philadelphia Waterdogs
I’m taking the Waterdogs because they’ve become one of the hottest teams in the PLL, and I think they keep that momentum rolling in Connecticut. Michael Sowers has been playing some of his best lacrosse of the season, creating offense seemingly every time he touches the ball with his vision, quickness, and ability to beat defenders one-on-one. Utah has the championship pedigree to make this a battle, but the Archers have struggled to string together consistent performances, while Philadelphia continues to trend in the right direction. The Waterdogs’ offense has found a rhythm over the past few weeks, and I expect Sowers to be at the center of it with one of his biggest performances of the year. If he gets into a groove early, Philadelphia has enough firepower to outlast Utah and continue its climb up the standings.
Sunday, July 18
New York Atlas vs. Boston Cannons – 3:00 PM EDT
Winner: Boston Cannons
I’ll finally admit it—I’m a Boston Cannons fan, and if a few of my early-season picks leaned a little in their favor…well, let’s just say fandom occasionally got the better of me. This week, though, I genuinely believe Boston is the right pick. The Cannons made a statement last weekend with one of their most complete performances of the season, showing that they can still compete with anyone despite the changes to their roster. The offense looked more confident, the ball moved with purpose, and the team played with the urgency of a group that’s starting to believe in itself again. The Atlas are always dangerous, especially with Connor Shellenberger leading the attack, but Boston feels like it’s finally discovering its identity. If the Cannons build on last week’s momentum, I think they carry it into Fairfield and earn another big win.