When the Cannons and Waterdogs meet on Friday in Denver, the game won’t be just another chapter in the Boston vs. Philadelphia rivalry. It will be No. 1 overall pick CJ Kirst’s first time facing off against his older brothers, Connor and Colin, in a professional lacrosse game.
The last time the three were on opposite sides of a game, it was in their backyard in Bernardsville, N.J.. The four oldest Kirst brothers – Connor, Colin, Cole and CJ – spent hours playing two-on-two, often with Caden, the youngest, rotating in.
“If you heard one person on the bounce-back, we were all racing out there,” Cole told Waterdogs beat writer Mike Bolger.
“That’s where we all grew and got better,” Colin added.
Now, years removed from those backyard battles, the matchups are real and the stakes are higher.
CJ, the fourth of the five Kirst brothers, is just two games into his PLL career. After leading Cornell to a national championship and winning the Tewaaraton Award this past spring, he was selected first overall in the 2025 College Draft by the Waterdogs. He made his pro debut on July 19 and a week later, recorded his first pro goal and point.
“I’m excited to compete, grease him up a little and have fun with him out on the field,” oldest brother Connor said. “We’ll be able to look back on this game and cherish it, for sure.”
Brotherly banter with high stakes
Connor and CJ have trained together throughout the week, and while the tone has remained playful – “There’s been some funny trash talk, we all like to keep it pretty light,” Connor laughed – all three know the weight the matchup carries.
Philly has already gotten the best of conference rival Boston this season in a 14-11 Waterdogs win. Now, as the Cannons continue to fight for their playoff lives, every game down the stretch matters, and there will certainly be no love lost between the brothers.
Colin, who will be seeing CJ’s shots up close in net, expressed his and his brothers’ shared love for competition.
“Growing up together and just being so close, we bonded over competition,” he said. “Whether that’s practicing, playing Catan or going head-to-head on weekends, it’s something that’s always brought out the best in us.”
“It’s an opportunity to compete”
While CJ is still adjusting to the PLL’s pace and physicality, his brothers have been quick to offer advice.
“Have fun and learn the game,” Connor said. “The PLL flow and gameplay are very different from the college game, so I told him to just give it some time and keep being aggressive.”
Colin added: “[CJ] has been around the professional game for a solid five years now since Connor entered the league. Lacrosse has been our language, and we talk all aspects of the game all the time. But talking about it is one thing; playing is a whole other. I think he has done a great job so far of feeling it out.”
As mentioned, the Cannons are looking to even the score after falling short to the Waterdogs earlier this season. They’re also trying to climb out of last place in the Eastern Conference standings with just two weeks left in the regular season. Colin is embracing the moment ahead.
“It’s an opportunity to compete,” he exclaimed. “It’s going to be an awesome night, great venue, great energy – there’s nothing better.”
Connor, meanwhile, is looking forward to a very specific moment: “Throwing the ball at CJ in warmups.”
And when it comes to family loyalties, the question of who their mom, Michelle, will be rooting for brought two very different answers.
“Redwoods,” Colin joked, referencing brother Cole’s team.
Connor, meanwhile, gave a more confident answer: “The Cannons!”
The Kirsts have made a habit of turning brotherly love into fierce competition. This one just happens to come with more than sibling bragging rights on the line.
