The Maryland Whipsnakes are playing their best lacrosse of the season, and tonight they face the Utah Archers in a game in Denver, Colorado, that matters for both teams' playoff positioning.
Maryland (5-3) has won their last two games by a combined score of 37-17. Last weekend in Fairfield, Rob Pannell broke Paul Rabil's all-time pro lacrosse career points record, finishing with 660 for his career — a milestone he described as a relief, saying his real goal is a PLL championship. The starting attack group of Pannell, TJ Malone, and Joey Spallina combined for 18 points in a 20-7 blowout of the California Redwoods. Maryland is shooting a league-high 30% and is tied for first in the East division.
Utah (5-4) is no pushover. The Archers are allowing just 9 goals per game — the lowest rate in the league and the fewest since the 2020 Whipsnakes allowed 8.5. Goalkeeper Brett Dobson, the 2024 Finals MVP, anchors one of the stingiest defenses in PLL history. Utah leads the West division and enters with legitimate playoff aspirations of their own.
The key matchup to watch: Utah's defense against Pannell, Malone, and Spallina. Brendan Lavelle held Waterdogs star CJ Kirst — who was averaging five goals per game — to just one goal last week. Whether Utah's defense can replicate that kind of lockdown performance against the hottest attack in lacrosse is the central question tonight.
Goalie Emmet Carroll has been quietly outstanding for Maryland this season, saving 72% in the win over California. If he stays sharp, the Whipsnakes' defense-to-offense equation looks very favorable.
Maryland Whipsnakes vs. Utah Archers
Faceoff: 6:30 PM ET in Denver, Colorado
TV/Stream: ESPN+