Kirst-Sowers duo powers Waterdogs past Redwoods in statement win

The Philadelphia Waterdogs’ thrilling 15-13 victory over the California Redwoods on Friday might have been the Premier Lacrosse League’s game of the year so far.

The bigger story, though, was Philadelphia proving its offense has reached another level — and that its new era has fully arrived.

For nearly two quarters in Chicago, the Waterdogs looked out of sync. California controlled faceoffs, capitalizing in transition and off of mistakes.

Head coach Bill Tierney even acknowledged during the ESPN broadcast that his team had drifted away from its game plan with too many self-inflicted mistakes.

Still, the Waterdogs never looked rattled.

Goalie Matt DeLuca matched former teammate Dillon Wardsave-for-save in one of the most anticipated individual matchups of the weekend.

That duel carried extra significance after Philadelphia traded Ward — one of the greatest goalies in league history — before the season, officially handing the crease to DeLuca. On Friday night, DeLuca validated that decision with 14 saves.

“Watching Matt and Dillon out there was like … watching an intrasquad scrimmage almost,” Tierney said. “These guys are dynamic. They’ve been together. They’re great friends. … I’m really happy for Matt the way he played tonight, getting the win. I’m happy for Dillon the way he’s playing and what he’s done for that Redwoods team. … Matt and Dillon, they’re special guys.”

The turning point came in the form of No. 15.

CJ Kirst exploded in the second half, especially in his off-ball movement. A third-quarter hat trick ignited the Waterdogs’ offense before he capped the night with a breathtaking isolation goal in the final minute, tying his career high with six goals for the second time this season.

Kirst’s emergence coincided with Michael Sowers snapping out of a scoring drought. After going nine quarters without a goal, Sowers finished with a hat trick and five points, repeatedly drawing double teams that created opportunities throughout the offense.

“It’s amazing,” Kirst said of playing alongside Sowers. “Every time Mike has the ball on his stick, you know he’s such a threat. … He’s done a tremendous job this year with helping out the entire unit. … I’ve just been finding ways to talk through him during the week and at practice, to be in the right spot for him. … All credit to Mike for being the man back there and giving us the opportunity to play.”

Together, Kirst and Sowers combined for 11 points (9G, 2A), reminding the rest of the league why Philadelphia’s offense might have the highest ceiling in the PLL when it finds its rhythm.

Equally encouraging for the Waterdogs is that the supporting cast continues to mature. Josh Yago recorded the first multi-goal game of his career, Silas Richmond scored his first professional goal, Zach Currier filled every column of the stat sheet (1 goal, 2 assists, 7 ground balls, 1 caused turnover), and Alec Stathakis returned from injury to win 18 of 31 faceoffs against the league’s top faceoff unit.