Kirst Sparks Philadelphia Waterdogs’ Win Over Redwoods

A Thriller on the Scoresheet

Philadelphia edged California 15‑13 in a matchup billed as the Premier Lacrosse League’s game of the year so far. After a sluggish first half, the Waterdogs rallied behind a pair of hat tricks to clinch the victory. The win highlights a new offensive identity for the franchise.

Goalie Duel and the Impact of a Trade

Matt DeLuca turned in 14 saves, matching former teammate Dillon Ward save‑for‑save in a standout performance. This duel underscored the confidence Philadelphia placed in DeLuca after trading Ward, a legendary goalie, prior to the season. Coach Bill Tierney praised both goalies after the game.

Kirst’s Second Career Six‑Goal Night

CJ Kirst erupted in the second half, scoring a third‑quarter hat trick and a dramatic late‑minute isolation goal to finish with six goals. That total tied his personal best and marked the second time he had reached that milestone this year. His play anchored a surge that swung momentum toward the Waterdogs.

Sowers Ends Scoring Drought, Fuels Set‑up Play

Michael Sowers snapped a nine‑quarter scoring drought with a hat trick and five points, consistently drawing double teams to open lanes for teammates. Kirst described Sowers as a threat who creates opportunities whenever he has the ball. Together the duo accounted for 11 of Philadelphia’s 15 goals.

Rising Supporting Cast Makes Its Mark

The rest of the roster also showed progress: Josh Yago logged his first multi‑goal game, Silas Richmond scored his inaugural professional goal, and Zach Currier contributed with a goal, two assists, seven ground balls and a caused turnover. Alec Stathakis returned from injury and won 18 of 31 faceoffs against the league’s top unit. These contributions illustrate the depth of the Waterdogs’ offense.

What the Victory Signals for the Future

The emphatic win over the Redwoods demonstrates that Philadelphia’s offense has reached a new level as the PLL season unfolds. With a balanced attack and a steady defensive core, the Waterdogs appear poised to compete for a championship. The performance also validates the strategic decisions made in the offseason, setting the tone for what could be a memorable run.