Utah Archers win professional Lacrosse National Championships

The Utah Archers beat the Maryland Whipsnakes to take the title of National Champs. Photo: Premier Lacrosse League

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania — The Utah Archers have established themselves as the new standard of success in the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) with a 12-8 victory over the two-time champion Maryland Whipsnakes.

The championship game was played Sunday in Philadelphia, following the semifinals in New York, where the Whipsnakes edged the Denver Outlaws 11-10, and the quarterfinals in Boston, where the Archers defeated the Carolina Chaos 10-1.

The Archers secured their second consecutive title with a standout defensive performance, led by two-time Championship MVP Brett Dobson. Dobson made 17 saves, stopping 68% of the shots he faced.

The third-year goalkeeper has proven to be a clutch performer. In four career postseason games, Dobson has averaged 17.8 saves, a 71% save rate, and holds a 4-0 record. In his two years as a starter, he has won two championships and two Championship MVPs.

Utah’s defense successfully contained many of Maryland’s key offensive threats. Matt Rambo, Zed Williams, and Levi Anderson combined for just two points, with Warren Jeffery, Graeme Hossack, and the Archers’ long-stick midfielders dominating throughout the game. Although Rookie of the Year TJ Malone provided four assists, he failed to score on ten shots, hindered by Mason Woodward’s strong on-ball defense.

The Archers relied on early offense to counter the Whipsnakes. Woodward’s two-pointer in the second quarter, following a turnover he caused at midfield, brought Utah back after trailing 4-1. A 5-1 run at the start of the second half built a four-point lead in the fourth quarter, and late goals from Mac O’Keefe and Connor Fields secured the victory. O’Keefe (three goals), Matt Moore (two goals, one assist), and Tre Leclair (two goals) led Utah’s offense despite the absence of Tom Schreiber.

The Archers’ second championship cements their status as a powerhouse in the PLL. After four seasons of postseason disappointment, Utah’s 2023 rebuild has resulted in two titles.

“The championships alone are incredible, but the way the Archers have done it — without major pieces in the playoffs for back-to-back years — is truly special. It’s a tight-knit group of gamers who rally around their superb coaching staff,” PLL representatives said in a statement. “Defensive coordinator Tony Resch is unquestionably the best defensive coach in the game. Head coach Chris Bates is an offensive mastermind, while assistant Brian Kavanagh remains one of the brightest young minds in the game, and club liaison Paul Kim provides an indomitable spirit in support. Those four and the team’s leaders — most notably Schreiber — have built a winning roster and culture that could establish a professional lacrosse dynasty while representing Utah.”