Last year was supposed to be the year. The New York Atlas entered 2024 with sky-high expectations and a roster built to win immediately. The offense was stacked, the faceoff game was elite, and on paper, there weren’t many weak spots. Everything lined up for a title run. And for the majority of the regular season, they looked like exactly who we thought they were. A 7-3 finish earned them the top seed heading into the postseason and solidified what many already believed—that the Atlas were the most dangerous team in the league.
But when the playoffs hit, the story changed. They ran into a streaking Whipsnakes team in the semifinal, and despite holding the lead late, they watched it slip away in overtime. A 12-11 loss ended a season that felt like it had more to give. And for a group with this much firepower, that kind of ending just doesn’t sit well.
The League’s Most Dangerous Offense
Offensively, there wasn’t a defense in the PLL that found consistent answers. The Atlas led the league in both total scores (151) and shooting percentage (32.8), and it wasn’t just the volume—it was how efficient and unselfish they were across the board. Jeff Teat was at the center of everything, and it’s hard to argue that anyone had a better year. He finished with 64 points and routinely made it look effortless. The scary part is that he’s not even close to his ceiling.
Teat was flanked by a lethal Virginia duo in Xander Dickson and Connor Shellenberger, who combined for 56 points and gave the offense a rhythm that was tough to disrupt. The midfield contributed with balance and depth, as Bryan Costabile and Myles Jones kept defenses honest, and now the group is even deeper heading into 2025. The Atlas added Matt Traynor in the first round, a Penn State product with the potential to be this year’s TJ Malone-type contributor. It may take time to find his exact fit in this offense, but the talent is there.
Veteran additions like Cole Williams and Kyle Jackson only bolster the midfield group, giving the New York Atlas even more ways to create mismatches and adjust to game flow. Both come from systems where they proved their value and understand how to complement stars without needing the ball every possession.
Holding Their Own on the Defensive End
While the offense carried the spotlight, the defense quietly did its job—most of the time. Ranked seventh in scores against average at 12.4 per game, it wasn’t the weak link, but it wasn’t a strength either. The unit features young talent with plenty of upside, and the growth of guys like Gavin Adler and Brett Makar will be key to taking the next step. Michael Rexrode continues to be a steady veteran presence, and Tyler Carpenter at LSM is one of the most reliable ground ball guys in the league, scooping up 41 last season.
In net, Liam Entenmann was everything the Atlas needed him to be and then some. He finished third in save percentage at 58.7 and looked like a goalie ready to take that leap into the conversation with Blaze Riorden, Dillon Ward, and Brett Dobson. If Entenmann continues on this trajectory, the entire complexion of the defense changes, especially in tight games where stops matter more than stats.
No Issues at the Stripe
Trevor Baptiste remains an unfair advantage. He won 66.2 percent of his draws and gave the New York Atlas consistent possession that most teams just don’t have access to. With a win rate that high, it’s no surprise the offense was able to stay in rhythm and wear teams down over the course of a game. There’s no question about who controls tempo when Baptiste is on the field.
Reloaded, Not Rebuilt
Despite falling short last year, the Atlas didn’t panic this offseason. They didn’t need to. The only real loss was Dox Aitken, who landed on the holdout list after a strong season. His absence will be felt, but Coach Pressler has already addressed the gap with a mix of draft talent and proven vets. John Geppert and Dylan Molloy moved on in free agency, but neither departure shakes the core of this team.
The additions of Cj Costabile, Mike Grace, and other physical presences on the defensive end give the New York Atlas more tools, especially in transition and special teams. That flexibility matters in playoff settings where matchups and momentum can swing fast.
Championship or Bust
There’s no way around it—this team is built to win now. With the league’s best offense, top-tier faceoffs, strong goalie play, and a maturing defense, there’s nothing on paper holding them back. But that was also true last season, and they came up short. This year, there’s no excuse. The pressure is real. The window is wide open. And the roster is too good to be sent home early again.
The pieces are in place. Now it’s just about finishing the job.
