PLL Week 1 Preview: Rivalries, Rookies, and Records to Watch

The 2025 Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) season begins with a weekend full of compelling matchups, historic milestones, and debut performances. The opening slate offers fans a chance to witness familiar rivalries and new beginnings as all eyes turn to the defending champion Utah Archers, rising stars from the 2025 draft class, and the New York Atlas’ homecoming double-header. Among the weekend’s most anticipated events is the Atlas playing two games in front of their home fans. Jeff Teat, the reigning Jim Brown MVP, enters the season on the cusp of history, needing just one goal to tie Eric Law for the most in team history. Teat also holds the PLL single-season points record with 64 in 2024, a mark that shattered Marcus Holman’s previous record of 44 set in 2023 (“PLL Week 1 Preview”). With his explosive offensive ability, Teat will lead an Atlas squad eager to avenge its dramatic loss to Boston in the 2025 Championship Series. The Atlas are not the only team chasing history. Goalkeeper Blaze Riorden, currently eighth all-time in PLL saves, begins the season with 1,041 career stops—just one behind teammate Austin Kaut. Drew Adams remains the all-time leader with 1,966 saves. Additionally, faceoff specialist Trevor Baptiste is nearing a significant milestone, sitting just 30 faceoff wins behind Alex Smith for fifth on the all-time leaderboard.

Saturday’s first game features a high-stakes rematch of the 2024 championship between the Maryland Whipsnakes and the Utah Archers. The Archers, who are attempting to become the first threepeat champion in PLL history, bring back midfield general Tom Schreiber, who returns from injury needing just five goals to reach 200 career goals. The Whipsnakes, meanwhile, have added veteran Rob Pannell, who is five assists shy of surpassing Ryan Boyle’s all-time record of 292. Friday night’s matchup between the California Redwoods and Denver Outlaws adds an emotional twist, as brothers Chris and Pat Kavanagh will face each other professionally for the first time. The siblings won back-to-back NCAA championships at Notre Dame, and now compete on opposing PLL teams. Denver also boasts three Tewaaraton Award winners—Pat Kavanagh (2024), Brennan O’Neill (2023), and Logan Wisnauskas (2022)—making their offense one of the most decorated in the league. For the Redwoods, No. 2 draft pick Andrew McAdorey reunites with his longtime youth coach and now-general manager, Joe Spallina. Fellow rookie Chris Kavanagh, known for his creativity and vision, honors his hockey heroes by wearing No. 96, a nod to NHL stars Mikko Rantanen and Pavel Bure. Rookies will also play a significant role across the board. Teams like the Atlas and Redwoods are testing how much of the 2025 draft class can contribute early. With a new crop of talent and seasoned veterans chasing history, Week 1 offers a compelling mix of tradition and transition.

As the season begins, fans can expect elite competition, personal milestones, and plenty of emotion—especially from those like CJ Kirst, the No. 1 overall draft pick. Kirst recently became the all-time leading goal scorer in NCAA Division I men’s lacrosse history, and his story, rooted in family, resilience, and legacy, adds another emotional layer to a league already steeped in brotherhood and tradition (Schaap and Grudzien). From heated rivalries to historic debuts, the PLL’s opening weekend sets the tone for what could be its most exciting season yet.