2022 Regular Season Record: 6-4
Final Result: Lost to Chaos in Semifinals
Key Additions:
Mike Sisselberger, FO
Connor Maher, SSDM
Piper Bond, SSDM
Cam Wyers, D
Reid Bowering, M
Mac O’Keefe, A
Challen Rogers, M
Key Departures:
Will Manny, A
Marcus Holman, A
Adam Ghitelman, G
Scott Ratliff, LSM
Dominique Alexander, LSM
Jeff Trainor, M
The Archers were one of the most active teams this offseason, shaking up both sides of the ball. Some of that was due to necessity, as Dominique Alexander and Scott Ratliff retired. In other instances, it felt like it was time to shuffle things a bit. Despite having a roster that was loaded with firepower, the Archers have yet to make a championship appearance, and just twice reached the semifinals. Grant Ament missed significant time with injury last season, and when he did return, he wasn’t quite 100%. A hobbled Grant Ament is still a solid pro, but he didn’t quite have the consistent explosion and elusiveness that define his game most of the year. With free agency now part of the landscape, it was time for a shake up of the roster.
The offseason was highlighted by big changes to the attack. Marcus Holman signed with the Cannons, Will Manny signed with the Whipsnakes, leaving just Grant Ament from last year’s attack. Mac O’Keefe signed with Archers to play the left side. Despite having box lacrosse success at the pro level, O’Keefe still looks most comfortable in the field game, where he is able to find the time and space he needs to launch a lefty shot so effective it made him the NCAA all time leading goal scorer. He’s an obvious candidate to play attack, while the righty spot could go a few ways. Matt Moore is a likely choice, as attack is his natural position. He played midfield last year, but can be effective anywhere on the field.
The midfield also will have a new look. Challen Rogers joins the Archers, as the boys in orange suddenly have a very Toronto Rock blue and red feel to them. Rogers is a two way threat in the same vein as a number of Archers midfielders now. Tre Leclaire, Ryan Aughavin, the newly drafted Connor Maher, all capable defensively but excellent in transition. The group gives the Archers an opportunity to crush teams in the sub game, as their midfield personnel paired with Jared Conners will have opportunities to go defense to offense without subbing any players. Teams that use converted attackmen playing out the box that don’t have much defensive experience will be playing with fire against the Archers with their new look midfield and deadly attack.
BEST CASE SCENARIO:
The shake up allows the Archers offense to ascend to new heights. Rogers flourishes with Schreiber, and the rope unit goes to defense to offense better than anyone in the league. Bond settles in as a lead defensive midfielder while the other two way midfielders skew towards the offensive end. Sisselberger is the answer the Archers have been after and goes over 60% in year one, with Inacio coming back to form a dynamic duo at the dot. Brett Dobson stays hot off his tremendous indoor season. With a fluid offense and the league’s best young specialists, the Archers charge through the second half of the season all the way to the title game.
WORST CASE SCENARIO:
Sisselberger takes longer than expected to adjust to the PLL faceoff rules, and Inacio takes some time to get a rhythm, meaning the Archers still have a faceoff problem. The long list of moves and the rebuilt offense struggles to get on the same page during camp and plays the first few games as a disjointed mess, as the shuffling of roles and the number of mouths to feed are both way too high. Despite taking their best shot at being a new look team, the Archers struggle to find a new identity and end the year with another early playoff exit.
Comments