The Philadelphia Waterdogs opened their Premier Lacrosse League season with a 16-12 victory over the Maryland Whipsnakes on Friday night. The Waterdogs (1-0) pulled away in the second half after trailing by three goals at halftime in a game held at American Legion Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. Maryland (0-5) struggled offensively in the third quarter and could not recover.
Michael Sowers led Philadelphia's offense with seven assists and one goal. His playmaking was instrumental as he fed teammates like Kieran McArdle, who finished with four goals and two assists. Jack Hannah and Thomas McConvey each had a hat trick for the Waterdogs. Jake Taylor scored twice in his professional debut, showcasing his efficiency around the crease.
On defense, Matt DeLuca stood tall for Philadelphia with 15 saves, shutting down Maryland's attack during critical moments of the game. Ben Wayer chipped in offensively from transition with one goal.
TJ Malone was Maryland's standout performer with two goals and three assists, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Whipsnakes' offensive struggles late in the game. Brad Smith provided some firepower early with two, two-point goals but faded as Philadelphia tightened its defensive grip.
Maryland's goaltender Emmet Carroll made 10 saves but faced relentless pressure from a balanced Waterdogs offense that featured contributions from multiple players.
With this win, Philadelphia starts its campaign strong after enduring close losses last year that resulted in a disappointing record despite competitive performances.
Up next: The Philadelphia Waterdogs take on the Boston Cannons on June 13 at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN+. Meanwhile, the Maryland Whipsnakes face the New York Atlas on June 14 at 1 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN+.
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