For the first time under head coach and general manager Bill Tierney, the Philadelphia Waterdogs punched their ticket to the postseason.
Following a 2-8 campaign in 2024, Tierney transformed the Waterdogs into a playoff team, guiding them to a 4-6 record.
Now, they gear up to face an Eastern Conference foe, the Maryland Whipsnakes, for the third time this season. The quarterfinal matchup in Minneapolis is set for Saturday at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
Why they can win it all
The Waterdogs enter the postseason with one of the most dangerous offenses in the PLL.
The offensive unit is stacked from top to bottom, whether it’s the starting attack line with veteran Kieran McArdle, No. 1 overall pick CJ Kirst and MVP finalist Michael Sowers, or midfield threats like All-Star Jack Hannah and two-way standout Zach Currier.
At the start of the season, the Waterdogs overwhelmed opponents with elite talent and depth, often spreading the wealth to six or seven different scorers per game. On any given day, this team could look like the hottest in the league.
If the offense finds its rhythm again, the Waterdogs have all the tools to make another title run.
Biggest concern
Philadelphia’s biggest concern is its young, inconsistent defense, which struggled in the second half of the season and allowed an average of 14 goals per game during the team’s four-game losing streak.
Breakdowns in coverage and late-game lapses proved costly. While there’s raw talent on the back end, the unit lacks the playoff-tested depth that defines the offensive side of the ball.
If the defense can’t contain Maryland’s balanced attack and support goalies Dillon Ward and Matt DeLuca, the Waterdogs could be in trouble early.
Cleaning up execution will be critical if Philly hopes to advance.
Most important player
Sowers remains the engine behind everything the Waterdogs do offensively – and he continues to play at an MVP level.
He finished the regular season with 18 goals and 23 assists and was nearly unstoppable against the Whipsnakes, totaling 12 points across two games.
Sowers’ speed, vision and ability to create for himself and others make him one of the league’s most dynamic weapons. When he’s involved, the offense flows – but when he’s taken out of the game, Philly’s rhythm suffers.
The Waterdogs will need to get No. 22 north of 30 touches per game if they want to make a serious postseason run – just like they did in 2022, when Sowers was named PLL Championship MVP.
Key stat
Since joining the PLL in 2020, the Waterdogs have built a strong playoff identity, compiling a 5-2 all-time postseason record.
Most notably, they won the 2022 championship after finishing the regular season with a 5-5 record – nearly identical to the 4-6 mark they brought into this year’s playoffs.
Thirteen players from that championship squad are still on the roster, giving the team a core of proven winners.
With that experience and resilience, Philly knows how to flip the switch – and turn a rocky regular season into another title run.
