PLL Champs: Former Syracuse Standouts Shine in PLL Playoffs
9/15/2025 4:03:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse
HARRISON, N.J. – The New York Atlas powered past the Philadelphia Waterdogs and Denver Outlaws to claim the PLL Championship, with key contributions from former Syracuse University men's lacrosse players on the field and sidelines.
The New York Atlas finished its playoff run with two strong wins to claim the PLL Championship. In the semifinals, the Atlas beat the Philadelphia Waterdogs 13-9, breaking through one of the League's best defenses. They kept the energy in the final, defeating the Denver Outlaws 14-13to win the title, the first in franchise history. The Atlas scored 27 goals and 18 assists over the two games, while the defense held both opponents below their usual scoring averages to secure the championship.
Below is a capsule on each former Syracuse player involved in the PLL Championship Game.
Michael Grace
Michael Grace, the rookie long stick midfielder from Hamilton, Ontario, played in both the semifinal and the championship game for the Atlas. In the semifinal matchup against the Philadelphia Waterdogs, he recorded two ground balls and one shot.
Grace continued to make an impact in the championship against the Denver Outlaws, adding one caused turnover and two ground balls en route to the title.
Will Mark
Will Mark dressed for the Atlas as their backup goalie.
Jake Stevens
Jake Stevens, a midfielder from Puslinch, Ontario, made his presence known in the semifinal and championship game for the Atlas. In the semifinal, Stevens found the back of the net once, tallied three shots and 15 total touches.
In the championship game, Stevens had one shot, one ground ball and 12 touches for the day.
Steven Brooks
Steven Brooks, an assistant coach and offensive coordinator for the Atlas, guided the offense to 27 goals combined against the Waterdogs and Outlaws. The team had 86 total shots and 55 shots on goal in the postseason. The Waterdogs' scores against average (SAA) in the postseason was 12.5, and the Atlas scored 13 goals against Philadelphia. The Atlas also scored over the Outlaws postseason 10.5 SAA with 14 points. The Atlas led the league this postseason with 27 goals and 18 assists. New York was second in the league with a power play percentage of 40% with two goals on five chances.
Matt Palumb
Matt Palumb, a national champion netminder for Syracuse, served as the head official for the title game at Sports Illustrated Stadium.
Paul Carcaterra
An All-American midfielder for the Orange, Paul Carcaterra was an analyst on the ABC broadcast for the title game as well.
The New York Atlas finished its playoff run with two strong wins to claim the PLL Championship. In the semifinals, the Atlas beat the Philadelphia Waterdogs 13-9, breaking through one of the League's best defenses. They kept the energy in the final, defeating the Denver Outlaws 14-13to win the title, the first in franchise history. The Atlas scored 27 goals and 18 assists over the two games, while the defense held both opponents below their usual scoring averages to secure the championship.
Below is a capsule on each former Syracuse player involved in the PLL Championship Game.
Michael Grace
Michael Grace, the rookie long stick midfielder from Hamilton, Ontario, played in both the semifinal and the championship game for the Atlas. In the semifinal matchup against the Philadelphia Waterdogs, he recorded two ground balls and one shot.
Grace continued to make an impact in the championship against the Denver Outlaws, adding one caused turnover and two ground balls en route to the title.
Will Mark
Will Mark dressed for the Atlas as their backup goalie.
Jake Stevens
Jake Stevens, a midfielder from Puslinch, Ontario, made his presence known in the semifinal and championship game for the Atlas. In the semifinal, Stevens found the back of the net once, tallied three shots and 15 total touches.
In the championship game, Stevens had one shot, one ground ball and 12 touches for the day.
Steven Brooks
Steven Brooks, an assistant coach and offensive coordinator for the Atlas, guided the offense to 27 goals combined against the Waterdogs and Outlaws. The team had 86 total shots and 55 shots on goal in the postseason. The Waterdogs' scores against average (SAA) in the postseason was 12.5, and the Atlas scored 13 goals against Philadelphia. The Atlas also scored over the Outlaws postseason 10.5 SAA with 14 points. The Atlas led the league this postseason with 27 goals and 18 assists. New York was second in the league with a power play percentage of 40% with two goals on five chances.
Matt Palumb
Matt Palumb, a national champion netminder for Syracuse, served as the head official for the title game at Sports Illustrated Stadium.
Paul Carcaterra
An All-American midfielder for the Orange, Paul Carcaterra was an analyst on the ABC broadcast for the title game as well.
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