A lot can happen in an NLL season and this year, that has meant new opportunities for rookies all around the league. Welcome to another edition of the NLL Rookie Report.
Four more players made their NLL debuts this past weekend, bringing the total number of rookies who have suited up to 47. And they didn’t just play, they got involved in the action right away.
Welcome Rook!
Albany’s Carson Moyer made his debut and scored his first NLL goal in a much needed victory for the Albany Firewolves over the Colorado Mammoth. Moyer played his college ball at Utah and was a high scoring junior player who wasted no time finding the back of the net in the big league.
WELCOME BACK CARSON MOYER!
— Albany FireWolves Lacrosse Club (@AlbFireWolves) January 19, 2025
Congrats to former FireWolves draft pick Carson Moyer on scoring his first career @NLL goal!#GetFiredUp🔥 pic.twitter.com/dtnC4wRYUP
Meanwhile, American Jake Piseno made his professional indoor debut for the Rochester Knighthawks, and found himself on a breakaway in the second quarter. Despite his inexperience he looked just fine on the fast break and deposited the goal for his first goal. In what would become a one-goal victory for the Khawks, that tally proved vital.
🚨 1st NLL goal alert 🚨
— NLL (@NLL) January 18, 2025
Jake Piseno gets away and scores in transition! @RocKnighthawks @NCBS_Lacrosse @UpstateBoxLax pic.twitter.com/7CIy7v2rC8
The other debut last weekend came from 2024 first round pick and Minto Cup Champion Remo Schenato. Playing as part of a loaded defensive unit for his hometown Vancouver Warriors, Schenato had to wait longer than most first rounders to get into real action, finally drawing in against the Black Bears. Holding that group to 9 goals was a solid start for the rookie. He played again Monday against the Wings, finishing with 2 loose balls and a blocked shot.
And lastly, Dustyn Birkhof made his career debut for the Black Bears, who secured a massive low-scoring victory over the Warriors on Friday.
High Picks Getting it Done
The biggest performance of the week came from Dyson Williams who had 5 points on a goal and 4 helpers. That effort tied his previous season high when he had 5 points against the Desert Dogs. With 12 points in his last three games, he’s starting to heat up.
Another big effort came from Calgary’s Brayden Mayea, who added a goal and 3 assists in their overtime win over the Georgia Swarm. You probably saw his goal already, but it’s worth a second (and third, and fourth) look.
Vet to Rookie: BTB Edition 🤝@NLLRoughnecks pic.twitter.com/Tkyt6gk2Uo
— NLL (@NLL) January 19, 2025
He saved it for a school night, but Brennan O’Neill was crucial in Philadelphia’s Monday night victory over the Vancouver Warriors. Coming into the game, no team had scored more than 11 goals on the Warriors, with three of their five previous opponents coming under 10. But O’Neill had a hat-trick as part of a 14-goal effort for the Wings to stay in a tie for second place in the NLL standings.
Mikey Robinson (2 goals, 1 assist), Jonathan Peshko (2 games, 1 goal, 3 assists), and Jackson Webster (1 goal, 2 assists) all had strong weekends as well. Brian Cameron had two goals for the Rock to continue his strong season.
After 8 weeks of NLL action, O’Neill still leads all rookies with 29 points. The top ten scorers can be found below.
And for the full list, check out the Rookie Report spreadsheet below!
Check back next week for another Rookie Report!