The Cannons’ defense was one of the best all season. Even after Jack Kielty went under in the training camp, Garrett Epple, Bryce Young And Cade van Raaphorst have kept the defense under control for Boston. Epple leads the league in forced turnovers (20). Reigning Dave Pietramala Defensive Player of the Year has a good chance to defend that title after another dominant season, only this time he’s leading a new team after coming over from the Redwoods last season.
The Cannons also have some of the best defensive midfielders in the game. Ethan Rall is again nominated for the Brodie Merrill Long-Stick Midfielder of the Year Award. As a defensive midfielder with a short stick Jeff Trainor has had his best professional season to date and has been a weapon in both defense and offense. The Cannons’ defense has no weaknesses.
Why the Cannons could lose in the Cash App Playoffs
Unfortunately, the Cannons will likely face another low-scoring duel with the Chaos in the quarterfinals. The Cannons’ defense is the second best in the league after Carolina, which allowed the lowest point total in the PLL at 11 points per game in the regular season. The Chaos rely on Blaze Riorden and their defense far more than their offense, which is in last place.
They play a physical style of lacrosse, led by experienced veterans Jack Rowlett And Jarrod Neumann and the ultimate last line of defense in Riorden, the best goalkeeper in the world.
When the Cannons played the Chaos in the final game of the regular season, Carolina played most of the game without Riorden or Rowlett, both of whom were sidelined with injuries. Boston managed to pull out an 11-10 win in overtime, but for much of the evening it felt like the Chaos were going to lose the game, even without two of their most important players.
It’s never easy to beat the same team twice, and the Cannons know they have a lot of work ahead of them.
With Riorden between the posts, the Cannons have to make the smartest shots. In their last game against the Chaos, they hit 11 posts against Riorden and Austin Kaut. Chaos’ goalies are hard enough to beat. Boston can’t give them any free saves.
Boston hasn’t been at its best overall this season, averaging 26.3%. To beat Carolina twice in a row, Boston will have to play smart and utilize transition as much as possible.
X-Factor
It may be a cliché, but the importance of “home advantage” cannot be underestimated.
All season long, we’ve heard coaches and players marvel at the energy the crowd gives them on homecoming weekends. While no one on the Cannons needs any extra motivation, especially in the playoffs, it simply means more to any professional athlete when they’re battling in front of a home crowd – which Boston will be doing on Labor Day in Foxboro. And if there’s one thing that defines Boston sports fans, it’s that they’re guaranteed to give their all for their teams.
Important stats: Marcus Holman completes 80% of Asher Nolting’s passes
They are the deadliest duo in the game.
Nolting and Holman combined for 10 points against the Chaos in Salt Lake City. Together they are a well-oiled machine. For the Cannons to win, their quarterback must find his favorite target.
