New York Atlas 13, Philadelphia Waterdogs 11
Paul Lamonaca: New York punches ticket to first title game in team history
The Atlas will make their first appearance in a PLL title game.
After coming up short in overtime in last year’s semifinals, New York rewrote the script on Monday and kept its quest for a championship alive. The Atlas defeated the Waterdogs in Philadelphia to advance to the U.S. Bank PLL Championship on Sept. 14.
“For me personally, just so happy for our veterans, especially like the original Atlas guys like Trevor [Baptiste] and Danny [Logan] and Jeff Teat and Michael Rexrode and those guys who have been so close to this, and now we’re going to the finals,” New York head coach Mike Pressler said after the win. “[I’m] so thrilled for our entire team, especially the veterans.”
New York started the game off hot, scoring six unanswered goals in the first 10 minutes. It seemed as if the Atlas were going to dominate in all facets for the entirety of the game.
Then came Philadelphia.
After two two-point goals from Waterdogs rookie long-stick midfielder Ben Wayer and a finish from CJ Kirst, New York was only up by one goal.
New York managed to keep an 8-6 lead heading into halftime, then stretched their lead to 12-7 going into the fourth quarter.
But again, Philadelphia rallied.
Waterdogs midfielder Zach Currier notched his first goal of the day early in the fourth, and rookie defenseman Jimmy Freehill scored yet another two-point goal to cut the Atlas lead to 13-11.
With New York feeling the pressure of another potential playoff collapse, goalkeeper Liam Entenmann stepped up to the task for the Atlas.
Entenmann totaled 18 saves — including six in the final 8:48 — and stopped 69.2% of Philadelphia’s shots on goal.
“I’ve been doing this for 42 years on the men’s side, and I’m not sure I have seen too many better than that guy,” Pressler said of his goalie. “He was very disappointed three weeks ago in the 20-19 [regular-season finale against Philadelphia], and he bounced back. … Liam did his diligence this week.”
At the faceoff stripe, Baptiste won 15 of his 25 faceoffs (60%). Baptiste is the lone remaining player from the inaugural Atlas team and will have his opportunity to play in his first-ever PLL title game.
“I think it’s been such a great journey being on this team, and you know, we’ve been through a lot,” Baptiste said. “There have been so many great players that have come before, and obviously so many great players on our team right now. It’s been really special. I think we’ve always kind of been so close, and it feels phenomenal to finally break through that ceiling and get to a championship.”
Offensively for New York, Connor Shellenberger finished with five points (1G, 4A). Jeff Teat (1G, 3A), Xander Dickson (4G), and Matt Traynor (3G, 1A) tallied four points apiece.
Mike Bolger: Slow start ends Waterdogs’ playoff run in semifinals
New York jumped out to a commanding 6-0 lead in the opening quarter, setting the tone on both ends of the field.
Philadelphia struggled to get settled in on defense, which allowed the Atlas to find early rhythm, with four different players scoring in the opening quarter and Baptiste dominating the stripe.
“I thought we were thinking a little bit too much. Didn’t play as free,” goalie Matt DeLuca said. “I think our guys were really thinking about the last two games we played in video. Then, if you notice, the change came when we started applying ball pressure and we started getting really physical.”
Philadelphia turned to rookie Kirst for early offense, as Michael Sowers was face-guarded and doubled for most of the first half.
Kirst’s two goals helped shift momentum late in the second quarter, bringing the Waterdogs within striking distance at halftime.
Ironically, the Waterdogs’ biggest offensive boost came from an area that many were concerned with all season: two-point shooting. Long poles Wayer and Freehill combined for three two-point goals — accounting for over half of the team’s scoring.
“Those guys can shoot it,” head coach and general manager Bill Tierney said. “We encourage our poles to be confident in transition. Today it gave us a real spark.”
But the Atlas responded once again in the third, closing the frame on a 5-1 run that widened the gap. Despite Philadelphia’s defensive adjustments and improved wing play, New York’s shooting efficiency (32.5%) and strong play in net from Entenmann made the difference.
“We made a couple of critical mistakes that gave them easy goals,” DeLuca said. “Against that offense, it’s tough to recover.”
“Unfortunately, if you give them an inch, they take 50 yards,” Sowers said.
Baptiste helped limit Philadelphia’s chances down the stretch. Sowers, while quiet on the stat sheet, remained involved as an off-ball facilitator, drawing defenders and creating space for the handful of young, talented players to get involved.
“We had a lot of young guys step up,” Tierney said. “The margin for error is small at this level, and today the early hole was just too deep.”
The season ends with Philly notching its first playoff win under Tierney but losing five of its last six games. With a 5-7 record, including playoffs, the team will look to improve in 2026 with a load of youth talent set to return.
