🚨 EX-CHAMPS FACE ELIMINATION

What happened to the Philadelphia Waterdogs?

Philly rose from an expansion franchise in 2020 to PLL Champions in 2022. Last season, the Waterdogs had a chance to win back-to-back titles but fell one goal short.

Now, they are in last place with a 1-6 record.

Heading into this weekend’s games at Homewood Field in Baltimore, Philadelphia could be eliminated from the 2024 PLL Playoffs. Here’s what would need to happen…

1. Maryland DEFEATS Philadelphia on Saturday

2. Denver DEFEATS California on Saturday

3. Carolina DEFEATS Utah on Sunday

If all three of those results occur, Philly will be the first team eliminated from playoff contention.

Philadelphia’s roster is very similar to the ones that made it to the PLL Championship each of the past two seasons. The major difference this year is Bill Tierney, who took over for Andy Copelan as the team’s head coach this offseason.

Before making the leap to the professional ranks, Tierney won seven NCAA Championships — six with Princeton and one at Denver. At the 2024 PLL Draft in May, the 71-year-old coaching legend explained how the Waterdogs job was drastically different than any other he had held in the past.

“Every other job I took, I took to rebuild,” Tierney said. “Whenever I took a job, there was only one way to go, and that was up. So, I always looked good…

“Now, there’s only one way to go, it’s down. And so I hope I don’t screw it up.”

Tierney’s team is struggling to win, but the ‘Dogs have been competitive in their losses. Philly only has a -6 point differential on the season, which is better than both the Denver Outlaws (-12) and California Redwoods (-19).

Earlier this season in Philadelphia, the Waterdogs lost to the Maryland Whipsnakes on a Matt Rambo goal in overtime. Considering what’s at stake in the rematch at Homewood, Saturday’s clash on ABC to kick off the weekend is must-watch television.

Here’s a look at the full weekend slate in Baltimore…

Saturday, 1 p.m. ET — Philadelphia vs. Maryland (ABC/ESPN+)
Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET — Denver vs. California (ESPN+)
Sunday, 3 p.m. ET — Boston vs. Maryland (ABC/ESPN+)
Sunday, 5:30 p.m. ET — Carolina vs. Utah (ESPN+)

How would you fix the Philadelphia Waterdogs? Reply to this email with your ideas.

🐐 New Hall of Fame Class

The Pro Lacrosse Hall of Fame will welcome four new inductees this weekend at Homewood Field. Here’s a little bit about each player in the Class of 2024.

Brendan Mundorf: A seven-time All-Star with the Denver Outlaws (2006-2013) and Chesapeake Bayhawks (2014-2016), Mundorf ranks fifth all-time with 316 career goals and ninth all-time with 452 career points. The UMBC product won an MLL Championship with Denver in 2012 and was named MVP of the league that season.

Lee Zink: A true technician with the long pole, Zink was an eight-time All-Star and an anchor of Denver’s championship defenses. He was named back-to-back MLL Defensive Player of the Year in 2012 and 2013. Zink played in 148 career games (13th most all-time) after starring at Maryland.

Kyle Sweeney: An integral part of the Philadelphia Barrage dynasty, Sweeney won a total of four MLL Championships over the course of a career that spanned 15 seasons. The talented defenseman suited up for four different teams (Philadelphia, Boston Cannons, Washington/Chesapeake Bayhawks, New York Lizards), and his 183 career games played ranks second all time.

Josh Sims: A Princeton grad who won two championships with the Baltimore Bayhawks in 2002 and 2005, Sims was one of the earliest stars of the MLL. The stud midfielder recorded 246 career points, including 15 two-point goals, which still ranks 22nd all-time.

📈 PLL Junior Championships

It’s gonna be a jam-packed weekend in Baltimore. On top of a full slate of games and the Class of 2024 Hall of Fame induction, we also have the PLL Junior Championships.

Last year, viral sensation George Caldroney lifted the Jr. Waterdogs to victory in the u13 Championship.

Players in this event participated in training camps back in January, then were selected in a live draft on YouTube in May. They’ll be decked out in full PLL gear this weekend and some will be lucky enough to play in a championship game, which will be broadcast on ESPN+.

Here’s some information on how you can watch…

Sun., 10 a.m. ET — u11 PLL Junior Championship (ESPN+)
Sun., 11:45 a.m. ET — u13 PLL Junior Championship (ESPN+)

📍 Natty Rematch in Atlanta

Who’s ready for a rematch?

Notre Dame and Maryland are set to play in the Atlanta Lacrosse Invitational at Bobby Dodd Stadium, home of Georgia Tech Football, on March 1 of next year. These two teams met in Philadelphia for the NCAA Championship a few months ago, and the Fighting Irish won that game 15-5.

Tickets for this event are not on sale yet, but all proceeds will benefit Shootout For Soldiers.