The Maryland Whipsnakes, fresh off a 17-10 win over Boston the day prior, faced the Utah Archers on Saturday in the back end of their Homecoming doubleheader. The Archers welcomed back two-time Championship MVP goaltender Brett Dobson to their ranks, and Dobson and the Utah defense held Maryland’s offense to half as many goals as they had against Boston. However, the Whipsnakes found another path to a weekend sweep, with their own defense keeping the Archers scoreless for two separate stretches of approximately 17 and 23 minutes in an 8-5 victory. Maryland improves to 3-1 heading into a bye in Week 4, while Utah drops to 1-2 heading into a Western Conference showdown with the Carolina Chaos in Charlotte next week.
Whipsnakes start strong again to take first half lead
The Whipsnakes came out firing in the first quarter yet again, starting with Loyola alum Adam Poitras scoring on the field of his alma mater (5:03). Maryland then capitalized on a poor decision from Dobson, who turned the ball over near midfield, forcing a longpole defender to cover the net for him. Eric Kolar subsequently beat the defender in the crease for his first career goal and a 2-0 lead. Goals from TJ Malone (10:14) and Truitt Sunderland (2:06 second quarter) extended the lead to four.
The Archers finally broke their scoreless drought after nearly 17 minutes, as CK Giancola fired a rocket past Maryland goaltender Emmet Carroll to make it 4-1. Colin Heacock scored on a power play (6:09) to push the Whipsnakes lead back to four. The Archers responded with Connor Fields finding the back of the net at 8:43, then assisting Piper Bond (11:38) to cut the deficit to 5-3 at halftime.
Whipsnakes defense smothers Utah for 23 minutes in the second half
Utah continued their run with Mac O’Keefe (0:29 power play) and Sam King (0:48) scoring less than a minute into the third quarter to tie the game, 5-5. However, that would be the end of the scoring for the Archers, as Emmet Carroll and the Whipsnakes defense smothered Utah’s offense for the last 23:12 of the game. Back-to-back goals from Malone (3:27; 6:21 power play) put the Whipsnakes ahead for good, 7-5. Aidan Carroll added an insurance goal in the fourth quarter (9:59) to close out a sweep for Maryland on their Homecoming Weekend.
Other Stats Of Note
Archers: Fields (1g, 2a); Giancola (1g); O’Keefe (1g); King (1g); Bond (1g); Ryan Ambler (1a)
Whipsnakes: Malone (3g); Carroll (1g, 1a); Poitras (1g); Sunderland (1g); Heacock (1g); Kolar (1g); Joey Spallina (2a); Matt Brandau (1a)
Whipsnakes head coach Jim Stagnitta won his 96th career game, moving him into first place all-time in pro field lacrosse history
Mike Sisselberger: 11-17 Faceoffs; 8 Ground Balls
Brett Dobson (Archers): 12 saves; Emmet Carroll (Whipsnakes): 13 saves
