Justin Ivey, Co-Editor
Lacrosse is Awesome©
Location: TCO Stadium, Minneapolis, MN
The regular season is over and Justin’s Picks has been on a heater to close the season. Unfortunately, we couldn’t crawl all the way out of the early season hole and finished just short of .500 for the PLL. Correctly choosing the Maryland Charm to wrap up the WLL picks for the year was a huge confidence boost heading into the PLL Playoffs. Both quarterfinal matchups bring teams that split their regular season matchups, so picking a winner should obviously come with ease. I have my eye on a perfect playoff pick, but that is the confidence before the games even start.
Season Stats
PLL – 23-25
WLL – 3-6
Worst Prediction from Week 13:
Denver over California…wasn’t even close!
Best Prediction from Week 13:
The Maryland Charm hosting the inaugural WLL Championship! What a game!
Western Conference Quarterfinals – 6:00 PM ET
Denver Outlaws vs. California Redwoods
Season Matchups:
Week 2 – Denver 10, California 9
Week 13 – California 18, Denver 11
The rematch couldn’t have been more different. With playoff positioning on the line in the regular-season finale, the Redwoods turned the tables, erupting for an 18–11 victory over Denver. California’s offense found its rhythm from the opening faceoff and never looked back, earning a season split while sending a message that it could go toe-to-toe with one of the league’s most talented rosters heading into the postseason.
Justin’s Pick – California Redwoods
I’m sticking with the Redwoods. I’ve been high on California for most of the season, and I’m not about to jump off the bandwagon now. Yes, Denver gets a huge boost with the return of Pat Kavanagh—and potentially Jared Bernhardt as well—but I think the Redwoods proved over the final month that they can run with anyone in the PLL. Their offense is clicking, the defense has found another level, and they enter the postseason playing some of their best lacrosse of the year. Brennan O’Neill will have his moments, and Denver’s lineup is as talented as ever when healthy, but I think California’s chemistry and momentum carry the day. Give me the Redwoods to survive a heavyweight battle and punch their ticket to the semifinals.
Eastern Conference Quarterfinals – 8:30 PM ET
Maryland Whipsnakes vs. Boston Cannons
Season Matchups:
Week 3 – Maryland 15, Boston 10
The first meeting belonged to the Whipsnakes. Maryland controlled the pace from the opening faceoff, using a balanced offensive attack and disciplined defense to keep Boston from ever finding a consistent rhythm. The Cannons never quite got their transition game going, and the Whipsnakes capitalized on timely scoring runs to earn a convincing 15–10 victory and remind everyone why they’re one of the league’s perennial contenders.
Week 12 – Boston 14, Maryland 12 (OT)
Everything changed in the rematch. Boston looked dead in the water, trailing by two goals with less than a minute to play before producing one of the most remarkable comebacks of the season. The Cannons scored twice in the final 30 seconds to force overtime, then Marcus Holman ended it with a stunning game-winning two-pointer after a quick restart. Fueled by Andrew McMeekin’s dominance at the faceoff dot, Boston stole a 14–12 overtime victory and enters the playoffs believing it can beat anyone in the league.
Justin’s Pick – Boston Cannons
I’m taking the Cannons in this one because I believe they’re playing the better lacrosse heading into the postseason. This matchup features two of the greatest veterans the game has ever seen—Marcus Holman for Boston and Rob Pannell for Maryland—and it’s remarkable that both continue to lead their offenses at such a high level. They’ll each have their moments, and I wouldn’t be surprised if this turns into another classic between these teams. The difference for me is momentum. Boston has been building confidence with every passing week, highlighted by its dramatic comeback win over the Whipsnakes and a sweep during MLL Throwback Weekend. The Cannons look like a team that believes it can beat anyone right now, and I think that confidence carries over into the playoffs. Give me Boston to survive another heavyweight battle and advance to the semifinals.