Last Week around the Leagues
by Fran Stuchbury
May 16, 2023 - Premier Lacrosse League (PLL)
This past week the Arlington Renegades won the XFL Championship, Racing Louisville FC forward Wang Shuang became the first Chinese player to score a goal in the National Women's Soccer League, Atlas Lacrosse Club selected Cornell defenseman Gavin Adler with the first pick in the Premier Lacrosse League Draft, and the Danbury Hat Tricks won their first ever Federal Prospects Hockey League Commissioner's Cup. Highlights from this week come from the XFL, United States Football League, Canadian Football League, Indoor Football League, National Women's Soccer League, United Soccer League Championship, United Soccer League One, Premier Lacrosse League, National Lacrosse League, American Hockey League, North American Hockey League, Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, Women's National Basketball Association, and American Ultimate Disc League.
FOOTBALL
XFL
The Arlington Renegades scored on six of their first seven possessions and held on for a 35-26 victory over the DC Defenders to win the 2023 XFL Championship Saturday night at the Alamodome. It was the highest-scoring game of the season for Arlington, led by quarterback Luis Perez who passed for 288 yards and three touchdowns, completing 26 of his 36 pass attempts. Perez was named the 2023 XFL Championship Most Valuable Player following the game. Arlington racked up 396 yards of total offense, including 285 yards through the air and 111 on the ground. Four different ball-carriers combined for the 111 rushing yards for the Renegades, led by Smith's 54 yards on 15 carries. Vaugns finished with 83 yards receiving on eight receptions with one touchdown, while Cannella recorded 71 yards on four catches and a touchdown.
XFL Championship Game Highlights (Arlington Renegades vs. D.C. Defenders)
Full XFL Championship Game Trophy Presentation. Chairwoman and Owner, Dany Garcia presents the Arlington Renegades with the XFL 2023 Championship Trophy
XFL Owner Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson presents Arlington Renegades Quarterback Luis Perez with the 2023 XFL Championship Game MVP Award.
United States Football League
USFL's Top 10 Plays From Week 5
Canadian Football League
The BC Lions organization is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Grey Cup champion and franchise icon Joe Kapp at the age of 85. "Joe Kapp will go down as one of the all-time great players for not only our franchise but the entire Canadian Football League," said Lions co-general manager/director of football operations Neil McEvoy. "Along with helping put the Lions on the map after some lean early years, Joe also served as a trailblazer for quarterbacks making a name for themselves on both sides of the border. Our thoughts are with Joe's wife Jennifer and the entire family at this time."
The Canadian Football League (CFL) Board of Governors have unanimously approved a set of rule changes proposed by the league's Rules Committee as teams continue preparations for the upcoming season. The 2023 updates to the rule book follow the substantive rule changes introduced last season that resulted from the CFL's extensive product review. "Last season's changes yielded positive results across several key metrics," said Associate Vice-President of Officiating, Darren Hackwood. "The changes being introduced this year are focused on fine-tuning the rules from a health and safety perspective and to refine certain nuances in the game. These updates will build upon last season's changes as the league and the Rules Committee continue to measure the impacts of the 2022 product review."
Following a disappointing 2022 season, the Edmonton Elks made a splash in free agency by enhancing their receiving corps, most notably with the signing of 2022 MOP nominee Eugene Lewis. Can a revamped Elks roster bring Edmonton back into the playoff picture in 2023?
Indoor Football League
Week 8 Plays of the Week!
SOCCER
National Women's Soccer League
Racing Louisville forward Wang Shuang converted a penalty vs. Chicago to become the first Chinese player to score a goal in the NWSL.
United Soccer League Championship
Monterey Bay F.C.'s Christian Volesky was announced as the USL Championship's Player of the Month for April on Thursday, with the veteran forward recording three goals and two assists for the second-year side as it remained firmly in the playoff positions in the Western Conference.
United Soccer League One
He Is Unstoppable - USL League One Player of the Month: Rafa Mentzingen
LACROSSE
Premier Lacrosse League
The Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) held its 2023 College Draft Fueled by Gatorade live on ESPNU on May 9, 2023. With the first overall pick in the 2023 draft, Atlas Lacrosse Club selected Gavin Adler, defenseman from Cornell, marking the first time since the 2001 MLL draft that a defensemen was selected first overall.
Biggest DEFENSIVE Draft in Lacrosse HISTORY
Cannons attackman Lyle Thompson, one of the brightest stars and most respected people in lacrosse, has decided to step away from the Premier Lacrosse League for the 2023 season. Citing the desire to focus on himself, his family and his community.
National Lacrosse League
Dhane Smith scored three goals and five assists to help lead the Buffalo Bandits to a 17-8 win over Toronto to claim their spot in the NLL Finals.
Tanner Cook grabbed himself a hat trick as the Calgary Roughnecks take the 13-12 win over Colorado to force Game 3.
HOCKEY
Federal Prospect League
The Danbury Hat Tricks and Carolina Thunderbirds concluded a competitive, harshly fought series with a legendary game that Danbury emerged from with a 3-2 overtime victory and the Commissioner's Cup. In the extra session, both teams had their looks in front of a nervously excited Danbury Ice Arena, and both goaltenders made significant saves that kept the game going. But ultimately, the home team struck gold and claimed the title. Xavier Abdella slalomed through the neutral zone and fired a shot on Greg Hussey and generated a rebound off his pad. Michael Marchesan collected the rebound and fired a shot into Hussey's five hole that trickled across the line 11:58 into the overtime session to land the Hat Tricks their first Commissioner's Cup in franchise history.
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League's Board of Governors announced that Scott Howson has agreed to terms on a multi-year contract extension that will see him continue to serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Hockey League. "The last three years have presented many challenges, but I believe the AHL is stronger today because of teamwork, cooperation and the shared desire of our clubs to make our league the best it can be," said Howson. "I would like to thank the Board of Governors and the Executive Committee for the opportunity to continue to lead the AHL into more successful years ahead."
Mavrik Bourque's first Calder Cup lpayoffs goal was the game-winning tally for the Texas Stars on Saturday night in Game 2.
North American Hockey League
Top Plays of the Week - May 2, - May 8, 2023
Western Hockey League
Watch as the Prince Albert Raiders select defenceman Daxon Rudolph first overall in the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft.
Ontario Hockey League
Spitfires' Maggio awarded Red Tilson Trophy as OHL's Most Outstanding Player
OHL Plays of the Conference Finals
BASKETBALL
Women's National Basketball League
With the WNBA's first foray into Canada proving to be a huge success, Sportsnet's Donnovan Bennett explores what this game meant to this market and its desire for more basketball.
National Basketball League of Canada
Scoring ironman Jeremy Harris of the Sudbury Five, one of the league's most prolific scorers, has been named NBL Canada Most Valuable Player. "What an impressive season. Who knew after he won Newcomer of the Year last year that he was just getting started," said Audley Stephenson, NBL Canada Commissioner. "From the opening tip of this season, he was focused, determined to do everything he could do for his team to be successful." In 2023, Harris averaged 22.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.1 assists. He led the league in scoring average (22.6) and finished second in total points (634). The 6-foot-7 guard scored a season-high 40 points against the Jamestown Jackals on April 23, and posted an incredible seven double-doubles on the season.
BASEBALL
Top Minor League Baseball Plays of the Week
OTHER SPORTS
American Ultimate Disc League
The TOP 10 plays from Week 2 of the 2023 AUDL season!
Did we miss anything newsworthy or downright fun? Have a nomination for next week's column? Contact us today and let us know.
Premier Lacrosse League Stories from May 16, 2023
- Last Week around the Leagues - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
