The Whipsnakes enter Friday night at 4-3, sitting in the middle of a crowded PLL field where every game carries real weight on the playoff seeding picture. California comes in at the same 4-3, making for two teams that cannot afford to fall further back in a league where the margin is razor thin.
Maryland just put up 17 on Carolina a week ago, a dominant performance that suggested this offense is rounding into form at exactly the right point in the season.
The Whipsnakes attack of rookie Joey Spallina, Rob Pannell and T.J. Malone combined for 13 points, tying a season-high, and Maryland is balanced, with its defense allowing the fewest points per game (at 10.9).
Pannell is three points away from Paul Rabil's all-time pro lacrosse scoring record of 657, and he’ll face a Redwoods defense that will be fully aware of where he is at every moment, but he won’t be the only one.
Malone erupted for a season-high six points against Carolina, and if California commits extra attention to Pannell, Malone and the supporting cast that just shredded the Chaos could become the deciding factor.
The Redwoods feature Chris Kavanagh and Dylan Molloy.
Petey LaSalla of Maryland will square off with T.D. Ierlan at the faceoff X. The Redwoods have won 53% of faceoffs this year while the Whipsnakes have won about 49%.
Where to Watch/Listen
Opening faceoff: 6:00 PM ET at Rafferty Stadium, Fairfield, CT
TV: ESPN+ / ESPN App