The MCLA Guy Who Played for Two MLL Teams in One Day

Only a few MCLA guys can say they played for an MLL team, even fewer can say they played for multiple MLL teams. Only one guy can say they played for multiple MLL teams in a single day. 

Ronnie Fernando got his start at Concordia Irvine in 2015, where he helped lead the Golden Eagles to an SLC DII Championship and an MCLA DII National Championship appearance. The following year CUI repeated as SLC DII champs and Fernando was named 2nd Team All-SLC.

After graduating, Fernando tried out for the MLL and was signed to the Ohio Machine’s practice squad. Bear Davis, the Head Coach who signed him, played at Wilmington College (OH) while they were a club team. Ohio would end up winning the 2017 MLL Championship in his rookie season. The following year he was drafted in the 11th round of the Supplemental Draft by the Atlanta Blaze. He spent time on the Florida Launch’s practice squad before being called up to the active roster in 2019. 

The entire 2020 MLL season was played at Navy-Marine Corps Stadium due to COVID and Fernando was the official EBUG (Emergency Backup Goalie) for the bubble. He practiced with the Chesapeake Bayhawks for the start of the tournament and when Brian Phipps needed a rest, he was placed on the active roster. 

After the game he went back to his hotel. As soon as he got back he received a call from the Boston Cannons that goalie Nick Morraco had gone down with an injury. So he headed back to the stadium and was given a jersey as the team was going through warmups. He did not end up going into the game, but was on the official roster. The Cannons ended up hoisting the Steinfeld Trophy and Fernando received his second MLL Championship ring. 

“The experience itself was a whirlwind that I got to just be present in. Being a journey man for so long and not seeing an active roster, it was all surreal. Being the first player to be active for two teams on the same day was a rush none can ever imagine.” said Fernando.

The professional lacrosse dream isn’t over for Fernando just yet. In 2021 he signed a contract with the PLL, but was never picked up by a team. He’s talked to multiple teams and coaches since then, including before the start of this season, but is still waiting for his chance.

“I know I can still compete if given the shot. I don’t care about the exposure to my name, not even the money, I just love the game.”

Whether or not Fernando ends up on a PLL roster in the future, he’s still on the short list of club guys to play professionally and will always have the claim of being the first player to suit up for two teams in one day.