The culminating weekend of the 2024-2025 NLL season was as suspenseful as the most dramatic of Hollywood screenplays, with virtually every team in the league still possessing the statistical possibility of punching a ticket to the postseason. With so much at stake, there was one matchup in particular that delivered the most significant doses of edge-of-your-seat, mesmerizing theatrics.
Sitting two miles due east of the tranquil tides of the Pacific Ocean, San Diego’s Pechanga Arena was the setting for a thrilling 2.5-hour demonstration of box lacrosse magic. With just shy of 9,000 fans electing to spend their Southern California Friday night in the venerable sports and entertainment venue, the hometown Seals defeated the Albany FireWolves 11-10, securing a spot in the 2025 second season, while simultaneously ending the defending runner-up’s late-season sprint to a potential playoff berth.
What an ELECTRIC atmosphere inside Pechanga.
Watch the final seconds from San Diego as the Seals punch their ticket to the postseason in front of 8,697 fans. pic.twitter.com/KSygiAKXDC
— NLL (@NLL) April 19, 2025
Coming off a brutal eastern road swing that featured gut-wrenching losses at Rochester, Halifax and the central to the story club from the New York state capital, the Seals needed a win to salvage a 9-9 regular season record. Capping the campaign at 8-10 would have meant witnessing the quest for the NLL Cup via a television or computer screen.
Seals vs. FireWolves, April 18, 2025 – Photo credit: Alexis Goeller
For the road-weary Seals, taking the field bounded by beaches, mountains, palm trees and a devoted legion of left coast lacrosse fans made all the difference in the world.
“I think that road trip, especially for the San Diego in-market guys, took a toll on us,” shared Seals captain Wes Berg. “There were definitely some sore backs from the long flights and four-hour time difference in Halifax. Being back home, getting some energy and playing in front of our fans helped a lot. We had to win or there was no mathematical way we were in. That makes you play a little more desperate.”
Berg later paid tribute to the unique atmosphere that accompanies playing home games in an older, more intimate edifice, void of some of the bells and whistles that come standard with many of the more modern buildings throughout North America.
“We have such a loud fan-base. It’s always pretty rocking in there. Our fans really get into it. We have our version of a little luxury box behind the goal and most of the people are banging on the glass and going crazy. There’s a lot of energy. It’s fun playing in a historic building where everybody from Jimi Hendrix to The Beatles have performed.”
Berg was the undisputed man of the weekend for the victorious Seals, notching four goals and two assists, including the two most important scoreboard alterations of the contest. The 32-year-old connected on a massive goal, with a minuscule one-second remaining in the first half, cutting Albany’s halftime advantage to 7-4. Then, with under four minutes ticking down on the fourth quarter clock, Berg blasted the game-winning trajectory past FireWolves goalie Doug Jamieson, procuring the hard-fought triumph for the San Diego cast of characters.
7.6 seconds left on the clock in the 1st half?
PLENTY of time for Wesley Berg and the Seals to score 1 more. pic.twitter.com/cmhH7gDG1s
— NLL (@NLL) April 19, 2025
As is often the case with Berg, the man who finished the season with a career-high 49 goals prefers to evaluate his many lacrosse exploits from the humble side of the spectrum.
“Regarding the one at the end there, I thought we were actually kind of dominating a bit on the offensive side, getting shots and great looks,” recalls the fourth pick in the 2015 draft. “Jamieson was playing pretty unbelievable. He had some saves, and we hit some posts. That goal was just what we needed. As for the late first-half goal, we didn’t have much for a play. We were just trying to get something on net, and finally got a lucky bounce and put the rebound in about a second before the half ended. That was a big momentum one for us.”
While Berg provided a more modest observation of his achievements, Seals head coach Patrick Merrill was downright fervent when heaping praise on the heart and soul of the San Diego roster.
“Wes put the team on his back and took that game over. From the last second, first half goal, to his halftime speech, to the game-winner, it was a great team effort. But Wes was certainly the difference maker. He’s a special leader and talent. He’s been so clutch all year long for this team. The bigger the stage, the better he seems to play,” exclaims Merrill.
During the course of his quote, the longtime Seals bench boss referred to the importance of Berg’s halftime speech. This is not a typo. During the locker-room portion of halftime intermission, the former NLL champion player/successful coach decided to step back and allow his captain the opportunity to address his teammates. Quite clearly, Merrill’s psychological methodology paid immediate dividends, as the Seals outscored Albany 7-3 in the second half, en route to their one-goal win.
Seals vs. FireWolves, April 18, 2025 – Photo credit: Alexis Goeller
“Wes just reminded the guys of how capable and resilient they have been all season, especially when down or our backs have been against the wall,” recalls the only coach in Seals history. “He encouraged them to go back to work and not give up. When Wes speaks, everyone listens because he never asks anything out of his teammates that he can’t back up or he’s not willing to do himself. They would all run through a wall for him!”
“Coach Merrill is such a great motivator,” bestows Berg. “I think he puts a lot of faith in us. So, it was cool to be part of that. I usually don’t say too much. We’ve got a lot of other good vocal leaders, but he felt that we needed a bit of a spark. It was one of those moments that we just knew this is where we’ve been all year, and we’re going to find a way to win and get in.”
Berg’s protagonist role continued on Saturday, when the University of Denver alum hosted many members of the Seals to his north San Diego County home for a night of scouting the competition and celebrating his birthday, before heading into the city of Encinitas to catch some of the evening’s NHL playoff games.
Seals vs. FireWolves, April 18, 2025 – Photo credit: Alexis Goeller
With a seat on the playoff express now officially booked, Berg and his teammates took some time to truly live in the moment.
“We had some of the NLL games on at my house and spent some quality time together,” conveys the British Columbia native. “It was my birthday too, so that was fun. It would have been a more miserable time if the season was over. Instead of drinking sorrow beers, you get to have a great time with everybody. You’re always in a great mood when you play together another week. It was a good turnout. We had a ton of fun.”
With the splendor of last Friday night and the merriment of last Saturday night now very much in the rearview, the Seals are laser-focused on a daunting opening round melee with the two-time defending champion Buffalo Bandits. Friday’s trip to Western New York marks San Diego’s fourth eastern sojourn in the last five weeks, and incredibly, the third such visit to The Empire State, during that stretch.
Over the course of back-to-back weekends, way back in February, the Seals handed the champs their very first loss of the season, courtesy of a 14-13 overtime thriller on the shores of Lake Erie. One week later, Buffalo trekked as far southwest as the continental United States allows, earning a 13-12 win in the rematch.
Wes Berg had himself a NIGHT in Buffalo, scoring 5 goals with 1 assist, as the Seals take down the Bandits 14-13 in Overtime.
👀 Berg Highlights pic.twitter.com/7UNicyZAgY
— NLL (@NLL) February 16, 2025
With a recent history of this nature, both player and coach are keenly aware of all that awaits them within the fabled walls of what will be a sold-out KeyBank Center.
“That’s a loud crowd. It’s fun playing the villains on the other side of it, where you’re trying to keep the building a little more quiet,” opines Berg. “They’re a great team that’s been to the finals the last three years. From the goalie all the way to their goal scorers, they’ve got a lot of depth. The cool thing about the NLL is that on any given night, any team can win.”
“It’s always tough playing in Banditland, especially in the playoffs,” analyzes Merrill. “The hard road seems to bring out the best in our group. We are hoping that’s the case again this weekend on the biggest stage. We have a confident group with lots of guys that have been there before. We’re excited for the opportunity, but [we] will have to play our best lacrosse for 60 minutes to give ourselves a fighting chance. They are two-time defending champs for a reason. To be the champs you have to beat the champs, which would be no small feat.”
