Jeff Teat leading the charge for league-best New York Atlas
LOUISVILLE, KY (NEWS10) -- Through the first half of the Premier Lacrosse League season, no team has looked more impressive than the New York Atlas, who are out to a league-best 5-1 record, and own a staggering +28 scoring differential.
If you need further proof of just how dominant this squad has been, how about the fact they had 10 all-stars? The Atlas made up half of the East team in Saturday's All-Star game.
The catalyst of this group, though, has been attackman Jeff Teat, who has already tied the PLL single-season scoring record with 44 points.
The Atlas also have three more wins than they had all of last season, and Teat believes his tremendous individual numbers are simply a product of the strides the team has made.
"I think we've just completely 180-ed as a team, and in turn, our offensive output has just kind of skyrocketed," said Teat. "I feel like I'm getting a lot of love on social media and stuff like that, but I think our…whole team, and our whole offense has just kind of, you know, put it together and [we're] having a lot of success with a lot of chemistry."
While Teat's numbers tower over the rest of the league, 24 of his 44 points have come off assists, so much of his production hinges on the success of his teammates. And players like Xander Dickson and Rookie of the Year frontrunner Connor Shellenberger have shined at attack along with Teat.
Dickson sits second in the league with 18 goals, and Shellenberger is third in the league in points.
The Atlas appear to have constructed an offensive juggernaut, and one of the unit's best qualities is a determination to share the wealth.
"A bunch of the guys say it all the time, "It's the name on the front of the jersey; not the name on the back,"" said Atlas head coach Mike Pressler. "They believe it; they live it. It's an unselfish cause around this team. You look at the record amount of touches, how we lead the league in assists; it's all about the other guy. And it's led by Jeff. You add another couple of pieces to… support him in Shelly and Dickson. It's been quite an attack. It's been quite a group on offense to watch. And [I'm] really, really excited for the second half of the season."
The Atlas return to action Saturday in Fairfield, Connecticut, and will battle the Boston Cannons.