🚨 NCAA POINTS LEADER RETIRES

California Redwoods attackman Chris Gray stunned the lacrosse community on Thursday night, announcing his retirement from the Premier Lacrosse League after playing just three seasons. Gray, who was selected 2nd overall in the 2022 PLL Draft, is just 25 years old — and less than three years removed from breaking the all-time NCAA record for career points (401).

“After a long, unforgettable journey, I’ve made the decision to retire from lacrosse,” Gray posted on Instagram. “It’s surreal to say it out loud, especially since this game has been such a huge part of my life for more than 20 years…

“As I close this chapter of my life, I’m filled with gratitude for all the memories and experiences lacrosse has given me. While I’m stepping away from the field, I’m excited to watch the sport continue to grow and evolve.”

Gray, a product of Shoreham-Wading River High School on Long Island, first attended Boston University and racked up 182 points in two seasons with the Terriers (2018-19). After making first-team All-Patriot League as a sophomore, Gray transferred to North Carolina.

With the Tar Heels, Gray became more of a household name. He was a Tewaaraton Award finalist in both 2021 and 2022. With the final point of his college career, he broke the all-time NCAA record for points — previously held by Albany’s Lyle Thompson (400).

Gray was drafted by the Atlas and was a PLL All-Star each of his first two seasons in the league, exploding for a total of 71 points in 2022 and 2023. Last offseason, he was dealt to the Redwoods and never really found his stride. He played in just eight games, finishing his final pro season with 12 points.

Gray now joins an awkward class of college legends who walked away from the game before we were ready to say goodbye. It brings back memories of Mikey Powell leaving the MLL, Lyle Thompson stepping away from the PLL, Pat Spencer pursuing basketball, and Jared Bernhardt choosing football over pro lacrosse.

Although he never won a Tewaaraton like each of those aforementioned players, Gray will hold a special spot in college lacrosse history so long as he owns the points record. Seeing Gray step away from the game should sting for any lacrosse fan who recognized his potential as a pro and respected his production in college.

What’s YOUR take on Chris Gray’s retirement? Reply to this email with your thoughts on his decision!

🔙 Revisiting The Chris Gray Trade

In the wake of Chris Gray’s retirement, New York Atlas head coach Mike Pressler deserves a lot of credit. Less than a year ago, Pressler shipped Gray (and a third-round pick) to California in exchange for the fifth-overall pick in last year’s draft.

Pressler then used that pick to select Notre Dame’s Liam Entenmann, who plays for Team USA and may be the best young goalie in the PLL.

Did Pressler know that Gray was mulling retirement? Maybe! He clearly knew more than Redwoods head coach Nat St. Laurent, who gave up a first-round pick for a player who only suited up for his team eight times. That’s not a great return on investment.

Heading into this summer, it’s important to remember where things stood after Pressler’s first season. The Atlas were 2-8, and Pressler looked like he was in over his head. In Year 2, he turned things around, finishing 7-3 during the regular season and falling an overtime goal short of an appearance in the PLL Championship Game. As a result, Pressler was named 2024 PLL Coach of the Year.

Now, after effectively flipping Gray into Entenmann, Pressler has an absolute fleecing under his belt as a General Manager. Considering how strong the Atlas looked for the majority of last summer, the rest of the league better be wary of what Pressler is building in New York.

🤔 What Does California Do Now?

The California Redwoods currently hold the second-overall pick in the 2025 PLL Draft. Although they could sit tight at Pick 2 and probably end up with Notre Dame attackman Chris Kavanagh, Redwoods head coach Nat St. Laurent should be doing everything in his power to trade up to No. 1 and select Cornell’s CJ Kirst.

No offense to Kavanagh, but Kirst is that much of a game-changer. He has an extremely high lacrosse IQ, two-handed ability, smooth feet and stick, and an elite compete level on top of a legitimate pro build at 6-foot-2 and 210 lbs.

On top of losing Gray to retirement, legendary attackman Rob Pannell is testing free agency. Pannell’s potential departure would leave a gaping hole behind the net where Kirst could easily be inserted as California’s new QB1 at X attack.

So, what will it take for the Woods to move up to No. 1? At least one future first-round pick…maybe more. Whatever it takes, California has to pursue that move. St. Laurent is probably sitting on the hottest seat in the PLL right now, and Kirst may be the only player who can save his job at this point.

💭 Remembering The Bernlohr Save

While we’re on the topic of retirements, Maryland Whipsnakes goalie Kyle Bernlohr also called it a career this week. Bernlohr announced his retirement on Wednesday, after winning two PLL Championships with the Whips (2019, 2020).

In 2022, Bernlohr won PLL Goalie of the Year. He is the only player other than Blaze Riorden (5x GOTY) to claim that award. Bernlohr was also a six-time MLL/PLL All-Star selection.

Despite his decorated pro career, the moment everyone came back to when Bernlohr announced his retirement was the save he made in overtime of the 2016 NCAA Championship.

Although Maryland ultimately fell to UNC, Bernlohr’s overtime save was the most iconic play from that game. Does that make it the greatest save in college lacrosse history? It’s tough to think of a more jaw-dropping stop in a bigger spot.

With Bernlohr’s retirement, Brendan Krebs will enter the season as Maryland’s No. 1 goalie. Krebs stopped 53 percent of the shots he faced last year and helped the Whips make a run to the PLL Championship. Maryland also brought in former Syracuse/LIU goalie Will Mark during the 2025 PLL Championship Series; he could return as Krebs’ backup for the summer.

💚 Oregon Honors Teammate With Brain Cancer

The men’s club lacrosse team at the University of Oregon (MCLA) is dealing with a heartbreaking situation. Goalie Gannon MacLachlan has been diagnosed with medulloblastoma, which is a fast-growing form of brain cancer.

In honor of Maclachlan and in an effort to raise awareness for brain cancer, the Ducks will wear silver ribbons on their helmets this season.

MacLachlan is set to undergo nine months of chemotherapy and has a fundraiser through the V Foundation. If you are interested and in a position to give, you can help Gannon reach his goal of raising $25,000 by clicking the button below.

📺 College Lacrosse on TV!

Here’s the men’s D1 slate and watch links for this weekend, via Inside Lacrosse (all times Eastern):

Friday, Feb. 28:
2 p.m. — Quinnipiac at Air Force (ESPN+)
3 p.m. — Jacksonville at St. John’s (ESPN+)
4 p.m. — Vermont at Dartmouth (ESPN+)
4 p.m. — Lehigh at Villanova (FloSports)
5 p.m. — Penn at North Carolina (ACCNX)
6 p.m. — Princeton at Duke (ACC Network)
6 p.m. — Towson at UMBC (ESPN+)
7 p.m. — High Point at Delaware (FloSports)
8 p.m. — Marist at Denver (Midco Sports Plus)

Saturday, March 1:
12 p.m. — Lafayette at Army (ESPN+)
12 p.m. — Boston U at Navy (ESPN+)
12 pm. — Georgetown at Brown (ESPN+)
12 pm. — Bryant at Ohio State (BTN+)
12 p.m. — Colgate at Loyola (ESPN+)
12 p.m. — Providence at Fairfield (YouTube)
12 p.m. — Marquette at Harvard (ESPN+)
12 p.m. — Virginia at Hopkins (ESPNU)
12 p.m. — Stony Brook at Manhattan (Jasper Sports Network)
12 p.m. — Monmouth at Mount St. Mary’s (ESPN+)
12 p.m. — Penn State at Yale (ESPN+)
12 p.m. — Wagner at Sacred Heart (ESPN+)
12 p.m. — UMass at Albany (ESPN+)
1 p.m. — Binghamton at Hofstra (FloSports)
1 p.m. — Bucknell at Holy Cross (ESPN+)
1 p.m. — Canisius at Cleveland State (NEC Front Row)
1 p.m. — Notre Dame vs. Maryland (ACC Network) *in Atlanta
1 p.m. — St. Joe’s at Rutgers (BTN+)
2 p.m. — Bellarmine at LIU (NEC Front Row)
2 p.m. — Hobart at Rober Morris (no stream link)
2 p.m. — St. Bonaventure at Le Moyne (NEC Front Row)
2 p.m. — Syracuse at Utah (ESPN+)
4 p.m. — Drexel at Mercer (no stream link)

Sunday, March 2:
11 a.m. — Princeton at North Carolina (ACCNX)
12 p.m. — Jacksonville at Iona (Iona Insider)
12 p.m. — UMass Lowell at Queens (no stream link)
1 p.m. — Cornell at Richmond (ESPN+)
1 p.m. — Siena at Dartmouth (ESPN+)
1 p.m. — Penn at Duke (ACCNX)
2 p.m. — Marist at Air Force (ESPN+)
2 p.m. — Quinnipiac at Denver (Midco Sports Plus)
5 p.m. — Mercyhurst at Hampton (no stream link)