Athletes Unlimited Weekend Wraparound: Gold Standard for Team Ohlmiller, Wood Atop Standings after Week 1

A new era of professional lacrosse kicked off this weekend as Athletes Unlimited Lacrosse hit the field for Week 1 of their inaugural season. There have been a few iterations of the women’s pro game preceding the AU, but none quite like it.

54 of the world’s best players suited up for a version of the women’s game we have never seen before. The field is shorter (90 yards x 60 yards) with less players competing at a time (10 aside). The play is faster (60 second shot clock), there is a two-point arc, and you won’t hear any whistles blown stopping play for shooting space infractions.

These changes to play were implemented by the AU’s Leadership Council to promote exactly what we saw over the weekend, a phenomenal viewing experience. Fans were able to tune in on a number of platforms to experience the games including CBS Sports Network, FS1 and Facebook Live (including LPG’s page!).

Not only does the play on the field differ from what we’ve seen in the past, so does the make-up of the rosters and how an our eventual champion is crowned (hint: its an individual player). Each week, new teams will be selected fantasy draft style by the four players atop the Athletes Unlimited Leaderboard. At season’s end, the player with the most points based of the the AU points system will be crowned champion.

This new team-building style allows fans to follow their favorite players as they team up for new match-ups week to week. This point system in place allows for all players, no matter their position, to be in the hunt for the championship (my inner goalie is much obliged). If Week 1 is any indication of games to come, we are in for an exciting sprint of a season. Let’s take a look at how the players faired in Week 1 of AU action.

Opening Weekend

Week 1 saw Kylie Ohlmiller (Gold), Angie Benson (Orange), Meg Douty (Blue) and Katie O’Donnell (Purple) take the helm as captains.

TEAM OHLMILLER (Gold)TEAM BENSON (Orange)TEAM DOUTY (Blue)TEAM O’DONNELL (Purple)
Kayla Treanor – AMarie McCool – MSam Apuzzo – ATaylor Cummings – M
Dempy Arsenault – MKenzie Kent – AEmily Garrity Parros – MCaylee Waters – G
Ally Kennedy – MBecca Block – DLindsey McKone – MCortney Fortunato – A
Haley Warden – MSydney Pirreca – MKatrina Dowd – AMichelle Tumolo – A
Kayla Wood – DMollie Stevens – AElla Simkins – MAlyssa Parrella – M
Halle Majorana – ATianna Wallpher – DMolly Garrett – MKristen Carr – D
Caroline Wakefield -DTaylor VanThof – MLindsey Ronbeck – ASammy Jo Tracy – A
Brittany Read – GGrace Gabriel – MMolly Little DKelly McPartland – M
Taryn VanThof -MKatrina Geiger – DHaley Hicklen – GTaylor Hensh – A
Kyra Pelton – DShayna Pirreca – AKatie Hertsch – DAmber McKenzie – D
Kathy Rudkin – DBrit Brown – GIzzy McMahon – ASarah Brown – D
Nicole Levy – AMary Kate Bonanni – DMira Shane – GHolly McGarvie Reilly -D
Kady Glynn – GAngie Benson – GMeg Douty – DAmber Hill – G
Kylie Ohlmiller – AKatie O’Donnell – M

From the first draw, Team Ohlmiller showed they were the weekend’s top team. Their success was not only reflected in the win column (3-0 overall, nine quarter victories), but on the AU Leaderboard. 14 of the top 15 players on the leaderboard dawned gold during Week 1.

Coming into the weekend, many thought that Ohlmiller’s squad had the most offensive firepower, but would they be able to gel? Yes, the answer was a resounding yes. The chemistry was immediate. Kayla Treanor (10G, 3A, 496 pts.) showed why she is, arguably, the best player in the world. Her connection with Dempsey Arsenault (4G, 5A, 463 pts.) is something that I hope we get the chance to see again this season. Their success in Week 1 finds them #2 and #3 on the AU Leaderboard respectively.

While the offense stole the show, a defender finds themselves at the top spot of the leaderboard after Week 1. Rookie Kayla Wood had a phenomenal debut on both ends of the field, tallying a goal and an assist to go with her dominant defensive performance (3 CT, 6 GB).

The only player in the top-15 not wearing gold was Taylor Cummings of Team O’Donnell. The 3x Tewaaraton winner continued to rack up the hardware, earning MVP honors in every game over the weekend. Cummings (7G, 2A, 392 pts.) continued her success at the draw circle, helping Team O’Donnell get two overall wins on the weekend.

To the surprise of no one, Marie McCool was the top performer for Team Benson. The former WPLL MVP was dominant all weekend, including scoring the league’s first-ever two point goal. With more success in the W column, I expect McCool (7G, 2A, 315 pts.) to be in contention for the AU crown all season.

Team Douty was on the wrong end of three tough losses, finishing the weekend without an overall win. The blue squad played tough despite their what their record says, losing all contests by a combined total of only 4 goals. With only receiving WIN points for three quarter victories on the weekend, the first player from Team Douty on the AU Leaderboard can be found at spot #31 (Ella Simkins).

Epoch Moments of the Week

You couldn’t have written a more perfect first goal to get the scoring started for Athletes Unlimited. Halle Majorana went behind-the-back off of the inaugural draw in game one to give Team Ohlimiller an early lead (that they would have basically all weekend).

There is a reason that Taylor Cummings is the only ever three-time Tewaaraton winner. She can do it all, including tip toeing around the crease for this ridiculous shovel goal. We are looking forward to seeing more of this from Cummings over the next four weeks.

I was so excited to see Katrina Dowd’s name on the AU roster when the signed athletes were announced in the offseason. These goals are great examples of why. The ability to fake out her defender in goal two is something else.

We had not one, but two BTBers to start games this weekend. This one coming off the stick of Sammy Jo Tracy after a nabbing a nifty GB in front of the cage.

Team Ohlmiller was clicking on all cylinders this weekend, including Kylie. She set the standard for how to draft a team going forward the rest of the season. Judges score that a 10.

Marie McCool didn’t fans wait long to see the first two-bomb in AU history. We saw the Athletes getting more comfortable taking shots beyond the arc as the weekend progressed. Look for more of these to land in top plays during future weekends.

https://twitter.com/ProLacrosseTalk/status/1419022896484298764

How can you possibly even begin to defend this type of pass from Treanor? The defender is in good position, pushing forcing her away from cage. Treanor said BET. We’d also be remiss if we did mention the Dempsey Arsenault quick stick. Elite.

A goalie stands no chance when you give Treanor that much time an room in front of cage. I’m looking forward to seeing the new Cuse Head Coach pull up from range over the next four weeks. +16 points, anyone?

This had to be one of our top plays. This post is literally called the wraparound. McCool had a phenomenal Week 1 and would certainly be higher than #17 on the leaderboard had her found the win column more. Her elusive quickness and ability to go mono e mono with her defender is why she’s one of my favorite players to watch.

I can’t stop watching this goal from Michelle Tumolo. The ability to get this shot of around her defender, before the shot clock ran out is just bonkers. This one is on repeat all week. It had me saying TUMOLO-MY-GOODNESS.

Week 2 Preview

We will see four brand new captains next week. Kayla Wood (Gold), Kayla Treanor (Orange), Dempsey Arsenault (Blue), and Haley Warden (Purple) will be your captains for Week 2. All four athletes were members of Team Ohlmiller, so expect a shake-up of the leaderboard when the dust settles after next weekend.

https://twitter.com/LaxPlayground/status/1419432232448581642

Just outside of the top-four were two goalies, Kady Glynn and Britt Read, tied for fifth with 411 points. Defensive players accounted for nearly half of the athletes in the top-10.

You can watch the captain’s draft live Monday at 7:00 pm EST on Lacrosse Playground’s Facebook page.

Athletes Unlimited Leaderboard

RankAthletePositionPoint TotalGames Played
1Kayla Wood, #45DEF5013
2Kayla Treanor, #21ATT4963
3Dempsey Arsenault, #11MIDF4633
4Haley Warden, #22MIDF4113
5Kady Glynn, #0GOAL4113
6Britt Read, #19GOAL4093
7Taylor Cummings, #27MIDF3923
8Halle Majorana, #37ATT3713
9Ally Kennedy, #42MIDF3573
10Caroline Wakefield, #23DEF3533
11Kyra Pelton, #31DEF3513
12Kathy Rudkin, #16DEF3473
13Nicole Levy, #28ATT3433
14Kylie Ohimiller, #71ATT3373
15Taryn Van Thof, #81MIDF3353
16Caylee Waters, #43GOAL3313
17Marie McCool, #40MIDF3153
18Kristen Carr, #83DEF2943
19Amber Hill, #99GOAL2823
20Kelly McPartland, #38MIDF2783
21Sarah Brown, #24DEF2743
22Katie O’Donnell, #9MIDF2743
23Holly Reilly McGarvie, #2DEF2523
24Sammy Jo Tracy, #13ATT2463
25Courtney Fortunato, #15MIDF2463
26Amber McKenzie, #1DEF2423
27Michelle Tumolo, #35ATT2363
28Alyssa Parrella, #47ATT2243
29Taylor Hensh, #20ATT2223
30Becca Block, #36DEF2213
31Ella Simkins, #26DEF2183
32Emily Parros, #5MIDF2143
33Lindsey McKone, #46MIDF1683
34Haley Hicklen, #54GOAL1643
35Izzy McMahon, #50ATT1623
36Meg Douty, #29DEF1573
37Sam Apuzzo, #14ATT1563
38Angie Benson, #77GOAL1493
39Molly Garrett, #32MIDF1483
40Mira Shane, #33GOAL1433
41Katrina Geiger, #8DEF1413
42Molly Little, #66DEF1403
43Katrina Dowd, #4ATT1403
44Kenzie Kent, #10ATT1253
45Grace Gabriel, #48MIDF1253
46Katie Hertsch, #25DEF1203
47Taylor Van Thof, #18MIDF1133
48Mollie Stevens, #17MIDF1073
49Alex Aust, #34ATT105
50Mary Kate Bonanni, #39DEF1013
51Britt Brown, #52GOAL1013
52Shayne Pirreca, #41ATT993
53Lindsey Ronbeck, #12ATT963
54Tianna Wallpher, #3DEF893
55Sydney Pirreca, #44MIDF793
Mary Claire Byrne, #60MIDF

Who do you think will be atop the Athletes Unlimited leaderboard after Week 2 action? Let us know in the comments or on social media.

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Adam Moore

Adam Moore is a Delco native, co-founder/host of Pro Lacrosse Talk and managing editor of Lacrosse Playground. He also has a passion for sports history and serves as Lacrosse Playground's creative director. Adam has been writing on lacrosse for more than a decade and has been published online with The Capital Gazette and US Lacrosse Magazine. Adam played four years of college lacrosse as a goaltender for Elizabethtown College. When he’s not covering pro lacrosse, he can be found coaching at Boys’ Latin School in Baltimore and watching Philadelphia sports.

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