Caden Balint – Albany Correspondent, StreamPunk Sports / All Lacrosse All The Time
Albany, NY — The New York Atlas kicked off their 2025 Premier Lacrosse League campaign with a rollercoaster Homecoming Weekend at Tom & Mary Casey Stadium. Splitting their opening two games, they displayed both the promise of an elite defensive unit and the offensive inconsistency that has plagued the club in recent seasons.
Game 1: Atlas 10, Chaos 8 — Defense First Identity Takes Shape
Date: Friday, May 30
Opponent: Carolina Chaos
Atlas opened their season on a high note, stifling a potent Chaos attack in a gritty 10–8 victory. The story of the night was Atlas’s defense, which blanketed the Chaos early and held strong through a mid-game scoring drought.
Key Moments:
- Fast Start: Atlas jumped out to a 4–0 lead, asserting themselves early with physical defense and crisp ball movement in transition.
- Scoring Drought: Despite the hot start, Atlas went over 14 minutes without a goal, allowing Chaos to crawl back within striking distance.
- Clutch D Stops: Led by Trevor Baptiste, Tyler Carpenter and Brett Makar, the defense clamped down when it mattered most, forcing low-angle shots and turnovers late in the game.
- Goaltending Boost: Atlas goalie Liam Entennann stood tall in the crease, recording 16 saves, including several in the fourth quarter to preserve the lead.
Notable Performers:
- Jeff Teat (1G, 1A): Quiet by his standards but provided key assists in the first half.
- Bryan Costabile (3G): Efficient off-ball movement led to a trio of beautiful finishes.
- Danny Logan: Dominated the ground ball battle and added key clears in the final minutes.
The Chaos offense, despite featuring dynamic threats like Jackson Eicher and JJ Sillstrop, couldn’t solve the Atlas’s gritty slide packages and high-pressure approach.
Game 2: Cannons 16, Atlas 12 — Momentum Slips Away in Rivalry Clash
Date: Saturday, May 31
Opponent: Boston Cannons
Twenty-four hours later, the Atlas found themselves on the wrong end of a momentum swing. In a heated rivalry game, the Cannons executed a near-flawless second half, erasing an early Atlas lead and storming to a 16–12 win.
Key Moments:
- Back-and-Forth First Half: Atlas traded punches early, with Jeff Teat and Chris Gray combining for slick two-man looks. The game was tied 4-4 at halftime.
- Third Quarter Collapse: The Cannons opened the second half with a 4–0 run, capitalizing on failed clears and hurried Atlas possessions. This 4-0 run ended with a huge 2-Point Goal for Zac Tucci.
- Faceoff Struggles: Despite the loss, the Atlas had no issues winning at the faceoff stripe. Trevor Baptiste was able to win the faceoff battle 19-10, giving the Atlas extra possessions that they just couldn’t capitalize on.
- Too Many Turnovers: The Atlas offense faltered under pressure from Cannons LSM’s Ethan Rall and Owen Grant, committing 22 turnovers overall.
Notable Performers:
- Jeff Teat (3G, 3A): More aggressive in this contest but couldn’t singlehandedly overcome the Cannons’ depth.
- Ryan Drenner (4G): Lead the scoring for the Cannons as he was able to score all goals in the second half
- Colin Kirst (Cannons goalie): Arguably the MVP of the game, Kirst notched 16 saves and frustrated the Atlas with multiple point-blank stops.
Will Manny, in his return to the Cannons after an 18 month injury hiatus, scored three times and facilitated the offense with his trademark quick decision-making and vision from X-attack.
Through Two Games: What We’ve Learned About the New York Atlas
✅ Strengths:
- Elite Defense: Atlas looks transformed under new defensive coordinator Joe Cinosky. Slide timing, recovery, and communication are all ahead of schedule.
- Teat Still a Star: Even when quiet, Jeff Teat finds ways to influence the game.
- Athletic Midfield: The Logan-Makar combo offers defensive toughness and transition speed.
⚠️ Concerns:
- Scoring Droughts: The offense still gets stuck in isolation sets, especially when Jeff Teat is blanketed.
- Turnover Woes: Sloppy play under pressure has to be cleaned up.
Looking Ahead: A Statement Game vs. Whipsnakes
Atlas’s next test comes on June 14 against the Maryland Whipsnakes, a team known for suffocating defense and veteran savvy. That matchup on ABC will be a litmus test for how serious Atlas is about contending in 2025.
If Atlas can smooth out their offensive rhythm and find an answer for the costly turnovers, their defense gives them a real shot at making noise this season. But those adjustments will need to come fast in a shortened PLL campaign.
