🥍 THE PLL CHAMPIONSHIP WILL BE...

The road to the PLL Cash App Championship goes through Long Island this weekend, as the final four teams left standing are set to clash in the semifinals at Shuart Stadium at Hofstra University.

Which two teams will find their way to Philadelphia for a shot at the 2024 title? Keep scrolling for game information and final score predictions.

MARYLAND WHIPSNAKES 🆚 NEW YORK ATLAS

Game Time: Saturday, Sep. 7 at 5 p.m. ET
TV/Streaming: ESPN+

The Atlas are coming off a first-round bye, after claiming the No. 1 seed in the 2024 PLL Playoffs. Will there be any rust after a couple weeks of rest? Perhaps the home-field advantage on Long Island will help New York avoid a sluggish start.

While the Atlas started the season 4-0, they have gone 3-3 since. Maryland is the hotter team right now, with five straight wins since starting the season 2-4. These two teams met in the season opener, and the Atlas won that game, 17-13 — but the Whips took the rematch, 16-12, a few weeks later.

Atlas attackman Jeff Teat is the presumptive MVP and the player to watch in this game. He averaged north of six points per game this season and will likely draw Defensive Player of the Year Finalist Matt Dunn in coverage. The Whips have leaned heavily on rookie TJ Malone for offensive production, but I see this game going to overtime with either Matt Rambo or Zed Williams calling game.

Prediction: Whipsnakes 13, Atlas 12 (OT)

CAROLINA CHAOS 🆚 UTAH ARCHERS

Game Time: Saturday, Sep. 7 at 7:30 p.m. ET
TV/Streaming: ESPN+

Everyone doubted the Chaos, who went 4-6 during the regular season. But after shutting down the Boston Cannons in the PLL Quarterfinals, Carolina’s signature brand of defensive lacrosse is proving to be very effective in the playoffs.

The biggest X-factor for the Chaos is Blaze Riorden, who is in the running for his fifth Goalie of the Year award. The Archers have been knocked out of the playoffs by Riorden’s Chaos three times before (2020 Semifinals, 2021 Quarterfinals, 2022 Semifinals) — and this time they will be without reigning MVP Tom Schreiber at midfield.

The Chaos and Archers split their two regular-season meetings this year. With Jack Rowlett back in the defensive lineup for the semifinals, Carolina will be slow to slide, daring Utah’s dodgers to win 1-on-1 matchups and score unassisted goals. Unless Connor Fields or Grant Ament goes nuclear, it could be a long night for the Archers offense.

Prediction: Chaos 10, Archers 8

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If these predictions come true, we will see a repeat of the 2020 and 2021 PLL Championship matchups. In 2020, the Whipsnakes beat the Chaos, 12-6. A year later, the Chaos got their revenge in the title game and took down the Whipsnakes by a final score of 14-9.

Reply to this email with your prediction for the 2024 PLL Championship matchup!

🍿 Matt Rambo Calls Out MPLS Crew

After a short break, the Mitchell Pehlke Lacrosse Show (now presented by CashApp) has returned to our YouTube channel. Mitch and the crew recorded this week’s episode on-site in Boston during the quarterfinals. Maryland Whipsnakes stars Matt Rambo and Colin Heacock joined the show for a postgame interview following their win over the Denver Outlaws.

The interview went great for Pehlke and D00gs, but things got a little awkward when Rambo and Heacock started grilling Hoagie for picking against the Whipsnakes…

Watch the full episode here:

During the first part of this episode, Mitch and the gang agreed to a Pick ‘Em punishment for the playoffs. The loser will have to do a “shoey” — chug a drink out of a shoe — and the two other cast members get to pick which player’s cleat they use for the punishment. It should be gross!

If you are attending the PLL Semifinals on Long Island on Saturday, get to the stadium early and find the MPLS crew in the Premier Zone. The cast will be recording another on-site episode, and they could pick you to hop on the set and share your hottest take during the mailbag segment.

🆚 Battle of the Badges: FDNY vs. NYPD

Last week, the PLL opened up Quarterfinals weekend at Gillette Stadium with the inaugural Stars and Stripes Classic. It turned out to be an epic event, with the Navy SEAL Foundation defeating the Green Beret Foundation, 9-7, in an extremely hard-fought battle.

This week on Long Island, we have the Battle of the Badges before the PLL Semifinals. This game will feature the NYPD vs. FDNY.

This is the 29th annual FDNY vs. NYPD Lacrosse Game. The Premier Lacrosse League will honor all first responders ahead of the anniversary of 9/11.

🐢 Terps Grab Former Brown Coach

Former Brown University men’s lacrosse head coach Mike Daly has joined the Maryland Terrapins staff as John Tillman’s new Director of Player Development.

Daly won three NCAA Division III Championships as the head coach of Tufts (2010, 2014, 2015) before taking over for Lars Tiffany as the head coach at Brown in 2017. He compiled a 46-51 overall record and made one NCAA Tournament in eight seasons at Brown.

“The rich get richer,” former Brown (and current Utah Archers) midfielder Ryan Aughavin wrote on X, “home run hire.”

Daly joins a Maryland team that has appeared in three of the past four NCAA Championships, including an undefeated run in 2022 and a runner-up finish to Notre Dame last season.

“We are thrilled to have someone with Mike's championship experience join our program,” Maryland head coach John Tillman said.

🤯 Ryder Reacts to Rise of PLL Juniors

This summer, the second annual PLL Junior Championships were held at Homewood Field in Baltimore. California Redwoods attackman Ryder Garnsey provided color commentary during one of the ESPN+ broadcasts and was blown away by the rising talent level in 2024.

“These kids are getting better and better each year,” Garnsey said.

The video above recaps the full PLL Juniors experience — from training camps, to draft day, to the Championships.