The Premier Lacrosse League has reached its All-Star break with our Notre Dame alumni continuing to be among the top players in the league.

All-Star Selections

Four Domers were among the starters for this year’s All-Star game.  The Redwoods’ defensive tandem of Eddie Glazener and Garrett Epple were obvious selections, and the two did not disappoint even in the exhibition, soaking up shots and playing solid defense in front of their Redwoods goalie, Timmy Troutner.

Redwoods midfielder Sergio Perkovic remains the league’s most feared 2-point threat, with goals from distance at the ASG, as well as posting a 113 mph bomb during the fastest shot competition.  His ability to score from extreme distance has become almost silly!

 

Atlas midfielder Bryan Costabile continues to be a feared sniper, as wasn’t afraid to show off for the fans at the ASG.


From captain to leading rookie

2021 Notre Dame lacrosse co-captain Jack Kielty has settled into a leading role with the Cannons in their first year in the PLL.  Impressively for a player in his rookie season, he regularly is called upon to handled the team’s hardest matchups.

The ‘Woods keep rolling

The Redwoods entered the break in first place.  With 10 alumni on the roster, they remain the Notre Dame Lacrosse surrogate team in professional lacrosse (with apologies to Kielty, Costabile and company).

In addition to All-Stars Perkovic, Epple and Glazener, the team continues to get top-level contribution from our Irish.

With 12 goals and 2 assists in 6 games, Matt Kavanagh remains the relentless force he was as a player in South Bend.  With 7 goals and an assists, Ryder Garnsey may not have the same presence on the scoresheet, but his game has evolved where his precise movement on the left side causes the defensive reactions needed to free up Perkovic and Myles Jones for 2-point shots. For a player with such a flashy history, it’s his selfless off-ball play that has really stood out this year.

Jack Near and John Sexton have battled injury a bit, but when on the field they remain premier midfield defenders.  Sexton, in particular, has been a key ingredient on the faceoff wing that helps make T.D. Irelan such a dominant player at the dot.

Agreed!

Kyle Thornton was acquired from the Chaos mid-season and, along with Hugh Crance, fills a needed hybrid defense-LSM role for Coach Nat St. Laurent’s defense.  Having such great stick handlers and versatile defenders opens up a range of possibilities for the ‘Woods, and these two continue to impress.

Charlie Leonard awaits his opportunity as T.D. Irelan’s backup face-off specialist.

The Last Half

Three regular season games remain for most of the PLL teams.  The Redwoods and Costabile’s Atlas are well placed for good playoff seeding.  Kielty’s Cannons have some work to do to reach the playoffs, but they have a manageable schedule to get them there.

The hope remains the championship trophy will be raised by an Irish player this September in Washington.

#GoIrish