3. WPLL Brave avenge their 2018 championship loss and win 2019 WPLL title
The WPLL’s first season in 2018 ended with the Brave losing to the Command 12-11. The Brave were up 11-10 with less than three minutes left before watching the Command steal the WPLL crown from them.
A year later, the Brave were once again in the WPLL Championship, but this time they found themselves losing to the Fight 11-8 in the fourth quarter. This time it was the Brave’s turn to mount a comeback. Thanks to Amanda Johansen’s four points (three goals, one assist) in the final quarter, the Brave would win 13-12 and hoist their franchise’s first-ever WPLL Championship.
Interview with Amanda Johansen
Interview with Tianna Wallpher
Interview with Dana Dobbie
2. John Grant Jr. comes out of retirement and breaks MLL scoring record
John Grant Jr. was a legend already when he retired from professional lacrosse in 2017. He had already cemented his place in the lore of pro lacrosse. Yet at age 44, Grant Jr. decided to defy the gods of time and come out of retirement to play for the Outlaws in 2019.
In his return, Grant Jr. passed Paul Rabil as the all-time points leader in MLL history with 598 points all-time on June 8 and 572 career regular-season points on August 24. In 14 games this season, Grant Jr. scored 21 goals, totaling 39 points in a 2019 season that ended in a heartbreaking one-goal loss in the MLL Championship. Now with records in hand, Grant Jr. plans to return next season and add to his total as he chases another MLL Championship.
1. Matt Rambo scores overtime game-winner to give Whipsnakes the inaugural PLL title in his hometown of Philadelphia
It’s hard to top John Grant Jr. as best story of 2019. But when you’re Matt Rambo and you follow up a game-tying goal with less than 30 seconds left in the PLL Championship with the overtime game-winner, you deserve that honor.
With their backs against the wall, Coach Jim Stagnitta gave the ball to Matt Rambo who put the team on his back and scored the game-tying goal to send it into overtime. Yet, Rambo wasn’t done and ensured that the Whipsnakes were going home as champions when he dodged from X and buried the game-winner at Talen Energy Stadium in the greater Philadelphia area.
With the 12-11 victory, the Whipsnakes were named the first PLL Champions. Matt Rambo, the 2019 PLL league and championship game MVP, had made history in his hometown and given pro lacrosse fans a memory they could never forget.
