HARRISON— You could not have written a better story for CJ Kirst and the Philadelphia Waterdogs.
Philadelphia defeated the Denver Outlaws 14-4 in the U.S. Bank Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) Championship at Sports Illustrated Stadium, securing their second championship in franchise history. Their first title came in 2022.
The game opened with an immediate hot streak. Zach Currier put the Waterdogs on the board just 24 seconds into the game. Dalton Young responded seven seconds later for the Outlaws, but it was Philadelphia who quickly took control, racing to a 5-1 lead within the first nine minutes.
The Outlaws managed to add two more goals before the end of the first quarter, with Jared Bernhardt and Luke Wierman finding the back of the net. However, the Waterdogs had already built a commanding lead, scoring seven goals at the end of the first quarter.
For Denver defenseman Michael Manley, the slow start was ultimately too much to overcome.
“Our first quarter sucked, plain and simple,” said Manley. “We can’t come out in a championship game like that and expect to win it. We dug ourselves quite the hole.”
The Waterdogs’ early offensive explosion was led by CJ Kirst, who completed a first quarter hat trick, and Currier, who recorded two goals. Brendan Staub and Alec Stathakis also contributed goals, fueling Philadelphia’s dominant start.
“When we were able to get our first one [goal], it was just floodgates from there,” said Kirst. “Getting hot in the first quarter, that’s all it really took.”
The Outlaws opened the second quarter with a goal by Brennan O’Neil until the Waterdogs shut out Denver for the rest of the game. Philadelphia continued to add to its lead throughout the final three quarters, with Michael Sowers, Kieran McArdle, and Kirst scoring in the second quarter. Kirst added another goal in the third to complete his five-goal performance, while Matt Collison and Silas Richmond each added one goal, and Sowers scored his second goal of the game in the fourth quarter to close out the 14-4 victory.
Rookie goalkeeper Sean Byrne made 11 saves and finished with a .733 save percentage.
“We saved our best game for this one when it mattered, and we were building all year for something like this,” said Sowers. “To be able to cap it off like this was just an unbelievable feeling. It’s hard to describe, but its special.”
Nonetheless, their celebration carried an added significance. Philadelphia won the championship on September 20, Kirst’s birthday.
He made sure it was a birthday to remember.
Kirst recorded five goals and two assists, totaling a championship-record seven points. His performance earned him the U.S. Bank PLL Championship MVP award.
For Kirst, the location made the moment even more personal. He grew up in Bernardsville, New Jersey, only about a 25-minute drive from Sports Illustrated Stadium. The close proximity to home meant that Kirst could share the championship moment with the family and friends who have been part of his journey from North Jersey to the PLL.
“I was so fortunate to look up at the stands and see them [family and friends] throughout the game,” said Kirst. “It definitely gives you an edge just knowing you have all the support from all those people back home and to hug my family and friends as well. It definitely means a lot to me to know that they are here to support me.”
Beyond the celebration on the field, the championship represented an important step for the Waterdogs as they continue to establish themselves in Philadelphia. With their second title now secured, the Waterdogs are embracing the championship mentality that has long been a part of Philadelphia sports.
“The city of Philadelphia loves winners,” said Sowers. “As we are trying to establish this Waterdogs brand in the city, there is no better way than to do it than to bring a championship. It’s going to be huge for the sport of lacrosse, specifically in the city [Philadelphia].”
