Whipsnakes blow past Redwoods in second half for second straight win
· Yahoo Sports
TJ Malone knew the Maryland Whipsnakes’ victory last week was a step in the right direction. More importantly, he knew it was crucial they built on it. Since winning twice in two days during Homecoming Weekend in Baltimore, the Whips had yet to string together two wins in a row.
That changed Friday with the Whipsnakes dismantling the California Redwoods 20-7 in Fairfield.
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The night was highlighted by Rob Pannell (5G, 1A) breaking Paul Rabil’s all-time professional lacrosse points record. He surpassed Rabil’s record of 657 points during the third quarter and finished the night with 660.
While Pannell led the way, Malone and Joey Spallina each totaled six points again in the Whips’ best offensive performance of the season, highlighted by a 7-0 run to begin the second half.
“This is one of the better team wins that I’ve been a part of in my career,” Pannell said postgame. “We’ve been talking about playing a certain way for the last few weeks after a couple losses in a row. Our team responded last week, and the challenge was to respond again this week against a really good Redwoods team who’s had a good season and all over the field we played as complete a game as we’ve played all season long.”
For the second straight week, there was a sense of urgency from the Whipsnakes in the opening quarter. The ball moved quickly, and Maryland exploited every misstep from the Redwoods, leading to a 3-0 advantage. The Redwoods responded with back-to-back scores, but the Whips tallied four of the next five to make it 7-3.
The Whipsnakes dictated the pace of play throughout, but a goal from Chris Kavanagh right before half cut the Whips’ lead to 8-5 and frustrated Jim Stagnitta. The Maryland head coach “had his say” in the locker room and felt his team might’ve lost focus, but Pannell and others talked about the need to respond right out of the half.
“To me, [the execution] told me at that point that we’re starting to really get it,” Stagnitta said. We responded and then went on a run, and they didn’t answer that run, and that was the difference. But I’m really proud of the way they came out at halftime because we haven’t done that consistently this year.”
Pannell entered the third quarter tied with Rabil after recording three points in the first half, and he didn’t waste any time getting his milestone. Malone fed Pannell from X, and the veteran scored to make it official.
Every goal.
— Premier Lacrosse League (@PremierLacrosse) July 17, 2026
Every assist.
Every season.
It all led to this.
Rob Pannell is the new all-time career points leader in professional lacrosse. 👏@PLLWhipsnakes | @espnpic.twitter.com/v3TzfVhyUu
Pannell talked extensively about the stress and attention his chase garnered, adding he was glad it was finally over.
“I love this locker room and the group of guys and love being around them,” Pannell said. “And I think for the past couple weeks, it was kind of just taking away from that a little bit, just because it was just a little pressure that I wanted to get over with.”
The record-setting score kick-started a 7-0 Whipsnakes run, which put the game out of reach. Malone tallied his fourth of the night, and five seconds later, Petey LaSalla dished to Spallina, making it 11-5. Three more from Matt Brandau, Pannell and a two-pointer from Spallina turned it into a rout. Through three quarters, the Whipsnakes were converting on 38% of their shots and punishing goalie Dillon Ward, who was pulled for Ryan Croddick.
Even though Pannell and the offense stole the show, Emmet Carroll had himself a day with 18 saves. Thanks to his performance, along with the defense forcing 18 turnovers, the Redwoods were held scoreless for the first 11:30 of the third and tallied just two goals in the second half.
Sam English was the only Redwoods player with more than two points (2G, 1A) as Maryland held Kavanagh, Dylan M0lloy and Aidan Danenza to a combined three points.
The Whipsnakes showed what they’re capable of last weekend by blowing out the Carolina Chaos, but the question was whether they could keep their consistency. Friday showed that they can and are hitting their stride at just the right time.
“The last two weeks has been as much fun as I’ve had coaching a team, because I’m getting after them, they’re responding and it’s fun lacrosse to watch,” Stagnitta said. “Tonight was just one of those nights. [In] every aspect of the game, I thought we played well.”