Justin Ivey, Co-Editor
Lacrosse is Awesome©
Location: Zions Bank Stadium, Salt Lake City, UT
Welcome to the very first edition of Justin’s Picks for the PLL and WLL season. Every week, I’ll be breaking down matchups, giving my picks, and taking a look at the storylines shaping the lacrosse world as the season unfolds. This offseason brought massive roster movement across the league, with contenders reloading through free agency, blockbuster trades, and a draft class that could make an immediate impact from Week 1. There are huge questions heading into the year: Can the Archers return to championship form? Are the Atlas finally ready to break through? Which rookies will become instant stars? That’s what makes this season feel so exciting — there’s talent everywhere, rivalries are heating up, and it genuinely feels like the PLL is entering one of its most competitive years yet. Let’s make some picks.
Friday, May 8
California Redwoods vs. Utah Archers – 8:00 PM EDT
Winner: California Redwoods
I’m rolling with the Redwoods in the opener because they quietly had one of the most improved rosters in the PLL this offseason, and they have no players on the injury report heading into Week 1. California finished 5–5 last season and made the playoffs after a major turnaround under new head coach Anthony Kelly, while Utah stumbled to 4–6 after back-to-back championship runs and missed the postseason entirely. The Redwoods now enter 2026 with a full season of chemistry between stars like Ryder Garnsey, Chris Kavanagh, TD Ierlan, and Dylan Molloy, plus another offseason to settle into Kelly’s system. California also added high-end young talent recently through the draft and finally feels deeper offensively than they have in years. Meanwhile, the Archers are still dangerous because of veterans like Tom Schreiber, Grant Ament, and Brett Dobson, but they no longer have the same “inevitable” feel they carried during their title seasons. Also, Schreiber, Ament, and Matt Moore are all on the injury list for Week 1. Utah has historically dominated this matchup, but I think the Redwoods’ athleticism and momentum make them the better Week 1 pick.
New York Atlas vs. Carolina Chaos – 10:30 PM EDT
Winner: New York Atlas
I like the Atlas in this matchup because they enter 2026 looking like one of the most complete teams in the league after finishing 7–3 last season and earning the No. 2 seed in the playoffs. Their offense remains absolutely loaded with Jeff Teat (PUP list for Week 1), Connor Shellenberger, Xander Dickson, and Trevor Baptiste controlling possession at the faceoff stripe, and another year together should only make that unit more dangerous. Carolina, meanwhile, finished 3–7 last year and continued to struggle offensively despite still playing the aggressive, physical style the Chaos are known for. The biggest question for Carolina remains whether they can consistently generate scoring against elite defenses, especially against transition-heavy teams like New York that can punish mistakes quickly. The Chaos still have game-changers on defense and in goal, but the Atlas simply have more firepower and offensive balance heading into opening weekend, even without Teat. If New York controls possessions early and lets Shellenberger and the attack dictate tempo, this feels like a matchup that favors the Atlas from start to finish.
Saturday, May 9
Denver Outlaws vs. Utah Archers – 5:00 PM EDT
Winner: Denver Outlaws
I’m taking Denver in this one because the Outlaws feel like a team ready to make a major jump after finishing 6–4 last season and showing flashes of being a true contender late in the year. Their offense has become one of the most explosive in the PLL behind stars like Brennan O’Neill, Logan Wisnauskas, and Jared Bernhardt, and they now have enough depth to pressure defenses for four full quarters. Utah still has championship experience and one of the smartest veteran cores in the league, but playing a second game in opening weekend against a fresh Denver squad could become a real factor. The Archers also looked more vulnerable last season than they did during their championship runs, especially when opponents pushed tempo and attacked them in transition. Denver’s athleticism and shot-making ability make them dangerous against any defense, and if their midfield gets downhill early, they have the firepower to overwhelm teams quickly. I think this is the weekend where the Outlaws officially announce themselves as a legitimate title threat.
Philadelphia Waterdogs vs. Maryland Whipsnakes – 7:30 PM EDT
Winner: Maryland Whipsnakes
I’m backing the Whipsnakes in this matchup because they still have the kind of veteran leadership and postseason-tested core that’s hard to bet against in opening weekend games. Maryland finished 6–4 last season and once again proved they can win ugly, physical games behind players like Matt Rambo, Brad Smith, and Joe Nardella (PUP list Week 1) at the faceoff stripe. The Waterdogs have one of the league’s most exciting young offenses and can absolutely put up points in a hurry, but they also remain one of the more streaky teams in the PLL from week to week. Maryland’s defense and transition game continue to be among the most disciplined in the league, which becomes especially important against a Waterdogs team that thrives when games turn chaotic and fast-paced. The Whipsnakes also tend to start seasons well because their identity is so established, while Philadelphia still feels like a team trying to fully put all the pieces together. If Maryland controls possessions and limits transition opportunities, this feels like the type of grinder that plays directly into Whipsnakes lacrosse.