Philadelphia Waterdogs win second PLL title in 14-4 rout

The Philadelphia Waterdogs won their second Premier Lacrosse League championship by overwhelming the Denver Outlaws 14-4 at Sports Illustrated Stadium, according to reporting by onnj.com. The victory gave Philadelphia its second title, following the franchise’s first championship in 2022.

The result was shaped almost immediately. Zach Currier scored for the Waterdogs 24 seconds after the opening whistle, and Denver’s Dalton Young answered seven seconds later. Philadelphia then separated itself, building a 5-1 advantage within the first nine minutes.

Denver scored twice more before the opening quarter ended, through Jared Bernhardt and Luke Wierman. Those goals did little to slow Philadelphia’s attack. The Waterdogs finished the quarter with seven goals, creating a deficit the Outlaws could not erase.

Philadelphia takes control early

CJ Kirst was at the center of the decisive opening period. He scored three times in the quarter, while Currier added two goals. Brendan Staub and Alec Stathakis also scored as Philadelphia produced one of the most commanding starts possible in a championship game.

Denver defenseman Michael Manley said the team’s first-quarter performance left it facing an almost impossible challenge. He acknowledged that the Outlaws had created too large a gap to overcome by failing to begin the game effectively.

Philadelphia extended its lead after halftime began. Brennan O’Neil scored for Denver early in the second quarter, but the Outlaws were held scoreless for the remainder of the contest. Michael Sowers, Kieran McArdle and Kirst scored during the second quarter, keeping the Waterdogs firmly in control.

Kirst found the net again in the third quarter, bringing his total to five goals. Matt Collison and Silas Richmond also scored for Philadelphia, while Sowers added his second goal in the fourth quarter to complete the 14-4 result.

Rookie goalkeeper Sean Byrne was another key contributor. He made 11 saves and recorded a .733 save percentage as Philadelphia’s defense shut Denver out across the final three quarters.

Kirst’s homecoming championship

The title carried particular meaning for Kirst because the championship was played on September 20, his birthday. His five goals and two assists produced seven points, a championship record, and earned him the U.S. Bank PLL Championship MVP award.

The setting added another personal connection. Kirst grew up in Bernardsville, New Jersey, roughly a 25-minute drive from Sports Illustrated Stadium. That proximity allowed family members and friends who had followed his development in North Jersey to attend the game and share the celebration.

Kirst said their presence was visible to him during the contest and provided an additional source of encouragement. After the final whistle, he was able to celebrate the championship with the people who had supported him on the way to the PLL.

The performance also gave Philadelphia a memorable individual achievement to accompany its team success. Kirst’s seven-point night set the championship record while helping the Waterdogs establish an early lead that became insurmountable.

A second title for Philadelphia

For Philadelphia, the victory marked more than a repeat of its 2022 championship. The Waterdogs are also seeking to build a stronger identity in a city where successful professional teams are closely associated with the local sports culture.

Sowers said winning a championship could help the Waterdogs establish their brand in Philadelphia and increase attention for lacrosse in the city. The team’s latest title provides a prominent result as it continues that effort.

Philadelphia’s route to the championship was emphatic: an explosive opening quarter, sustained scoring over the next three periods and a defense that allowed no further Denver goals after O’Neil’s second-quarter score. Kirst’s birthday performance supplied the central story, but the 14-4 margin reflected a complete team victory.