The Philadelphia Waterdogs had a slow start to this game against the Maryland Whipsnakes. But they got busy in the second quarter, turning a 3-0 first quarter deficit into a 9-6 halftime lead, and an eventual 16-14 win to open the season. Michael Sowers completely balled out in the second quarter, recording a hat trick and two assists for five points. Connor Kelly scored two of the Waterdogs three 2-point goals in this game. Already a vast improvement for a team that was dead last in the PLL in 2-point goal scoring in 2025. Jack Hannah would get 4 points on 2 goals and 2 assists for the Waterdogs. Zed Williams scored a 2-point goal in his Waterdogs debut. Kieran McArdle moved into 5th place all time in points with a goal and two assists. And just when things looked to get shaky in the fourth quarter as the Whipsnakes rallied, Jake Taylor gets the insurance goal for Philly.
What’s next for Waterdogs and Whipsnakes?
Maryland started the game strong with Aidan Carroll putting a couple of goals and an assist. Matt Brandau really did a great job battling for the Whipsnakes with four goals and an assist. Maryland had 4 straight goals in the fourth quarter to pull within one and put Philly on their heels. However, with faceoff specialist Joe Nardella still injured, Whipsnakes struggled at the X, going 10 for 28 while using four different players to take draws.
As the PLL heads up to Rhode Island for Week 2, the Whipsnakes will take on current PLL champs the New York Atlas. Maryland will be looking to get in the win column for the first time this season. For the Waterdogs, they need to build off this momentum as they take on the homecoming Boston Cannons in the back end of their doubleheader. Even with the schedule expanded to 12 games this season, getting two wins within your conference in the first two weeks could be a huge advantage for the Waterdogs later in the season as they make a playoff push.
