The Whipsnakes Lacrosse Club entered the 2020 Premier Lacrosse League season the same way it left– champions.
The Whipsnakes earned their second consecutive title by defeating the Chaos Lacrosse Club, 12-6, earlier today at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman, U.T.
Five Long Island residents– Mike Chanenchuk, Michael Ehrhardt, Joe LoCascio, Tim Muller and Tyler Warner— helped the club capture the championship.
Chanechuk and LoCasio contributed on offense by scoring a goal each. Ehrhardt was arguably the standout defenseman and scooped a game-high five groundballs. Muller forced a team-high two turnovers.
Chanechuk finished fourth with 14 points scored for the Whipsnakes in 2020. The midfielder converted two 2-point goals, matching Ehrhardt for the most on the team.
The East Setauket, N.Y. native was named the 2008 Long Island Midfielder of the Year at St. Anthony’s High School. He was the unanimous 2010 Ivy League Rookie of the Year at Princeton and a 2014 United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) First Team All-American at Maryland. Chanechuk is currently an assistant coach for Stony Brook Men’s Lacrosse.
Ehrhardt led all non-faceoff specialists scooping 26 groundballs throughout the season. He forced seven turnovers and assisted his teammates on three goals.
A Chaminade High School alum, Ehrhardt earned two USILA All-American awards at Maryland. The long-stick midfielder was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2018 FIL World Championship and helped the United States win the gold medal.
LoCasio concluded with five goals scored on 18 shot attempts. His most impactful score arguably came today and helped the Whipsnakes put away the Chaos.
The midfielder helped command the Friars to a 38-5 record and consecutive New York State Catholic High School Athletic Association League (NSCHSLAA) titles over his two seasons playing for St. Anthony’s. LoCasio was named to the All-Big Ten First Team and USILA All-America Third Team in 2015.
Muller captained the defensive side of the field with 10 groundballs scooped and five caused turnovers.
He stoodout as the team’s best defenseman this season, similarly to his time at Maryland. Muller was named a two time USILA All-American and honored with the 2017 William C. Schmeisser Award, given to the best defender in the NCAA. The defenseman helped the Chaminade Flyers capture the NSCHSLAA Championship in 2013.
Warner secured 16 groundballs during his time patrolling the midfield. The Baldwin, N.Y. native was a 2014 US Lacrosse All-American in high school. He was also a 2018 Inside Lacrosse All-American after his senior season at Yale.
It has been almost four months to the day since Premier League Lacrosse postponed the start of its season. The league announced in May that it would conduct a 20-game season to crown its champion.
The Whipsnakes went a perfect 6-0 en route to capturing the title this season. The team improved its league-high winning streak to eight games, dating back to the Semifinals win over the Chaos last September.
