In the kickoff to week eleven in Sault Lake City, Utah, the Archers (8-2) faced the Waterdogs (7-3) in what could very well be a preview of this year’s championship game.
The Waterdogs had never beaten the Archers, losing all four career match-ups including a 19-18 slugfest at the end of July.
The Archers are led by Tom Schreiber, Connor Fields and Mac O’Keefe, with Mike Sisselbeger dominating on faceoffs. For the Waterdogs Kieran McArdle, Connor Kelly and Michael Sowers were the top scorers.
The goaltending match-up had Brett Dobson for the Archers against Dillon Ward for the Waterdogs.
In a game that had everything, Kieran McArdle was the hero scoring the winning goal with just 0:05 seconds left in the game. The Waterdogs were led by Kieran McArdle (3g,1a), Jack Hannah (1g, 1 2-pt g, 1a), and Ryan Conrad (4g,0a). The Archers were led by Connor Fields (4g,2a), Ryan Ambler (2g,1a) and Mac O’Keefe (2g,0a).
Connor Fields and Mac O’Keefe gave the Archers a two goal lead with less than a minute to go, but a 2-point bomb from Jack Hannah tied the game setting the stage for McArdle’s heroics. Waterdogs win 14-13.
To The Game:
The Waterdogs got things started when Ryan Conrad converted a Kieran McArdle feed at 1:50, but was answered by Tre LeClair off a Grant Ament pass at 3:12.
Connor Kelly gave the Waterdogs the lead once more, but a power-play goal from Mac O’Keefe off a Tom Schreiber feed tied the game once more at 8:31.
The Waterdogs scored a pair of goals quickly. Ryan Conrad blasted a shot at 9:33, followed by Matt Whitcher scoring 0:12 seconds later. Connor Fields got the Archers within one before the end of the quarter.
After one quarter, Waterdogs 4 Archers 3.
Second Quarter:
The Archers tied the game when Ryan Ambler converted a Connor Fields pass at 6:58, but goals by Ryan Conrad and Michael Sowers had the ‘Dogs up by two at the half.
At halftime, Waterdogs 6 Archers 4.
Third Quarter:
Tre LeClair brought the Archers within one goal off a Connor Fields pass at 1:58, but Ethan Walker restored the two goal lead with a blast at 7:40.
The Archers took over the quarter netting two more goals to tie the game. Ryan Aughavin scored at 8:14, followed by Connor Fields with just 1:14 remaining.
After three quarters, Waterdogs 7 Archers 7.
Fourth Quarter:
The game was a defensive struggle to this point. But in the fourth quarter all bets were off.
Kieran McArdle put the Waterdogs in the lead once again at 0:37 seconds, but a 2-point goal from Ryan Aughavin gave the Archers their first lead of the game at 1:00. Ryan Ambler then increased the Archers lead at 3:30.
The Waterdogs mounted a comeback when Ryan Conrad finished a Michael Sowers feed at 4:37, followed by Jack Hannah with his second of the game at 5:23.
Connor Fields got the Archers out in front again, but was promptly answered by Kieran McArdle scoring off a Liam Byrnes pass at 10:06.
Connor Fields and Mac O’Keefe gave the Archers a two goal lead with just 0:49 seconds remaining, but a 2-point bomb from Jack Hannah and a buzzer beater from Kieran McArdle on the rebound with just 0:05 seconds left, gave the Waterdogs their first ever victory over the Archers.
Final score, Waterdogs 14 Archers 13.
The Three Stars:
1. Kieran McArdle
2. Connor Fields
3. Jack Hannah
Game Stats:
- Shots on goal were 35-34 in favor of the Archers.
- Ground balls were dominated by the Archers 50-29.
- The faceoff battle went to Archers as well, 23-5.
- The Archers went 1 for 2 on the power-play, while the Waterdogs went 1 for 3.
Top Scorers:
Waterdogs:
- Jack Hannah 1g, 1 2-pt g, 2a
- Ryan Conrad 4g, 0a
- Kieran McArdle 3g, 1a
Archers:
- Connor Fields 4g, 2a
- Ryan Ambler 2g, 1a
- Ryan Aughavin 1g, 1 2-pt g, 0a
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Gary Groob has been involved with Lacrosse for the majority of his life, whether playing, coaching, or covering the sport for the media.
An avid fan, with a real drive about helping to “grow the game”, Gary became part of podcasts about the game in 2010. Through the podcasts, Mr. Groob was given an opportunity to write about lacrosse, and the rest as they say, is history.
Through many miles (flying and driving) Gary has made inroads with the National Lacrosse League, Major Series Lacrosse League, the Ontario Lacrosse Association, as well as the Arena Lacrosse League, covering the leagues, their teams, and players, working for, and in concert with all of them.
In the year 2020, Mr. Groob was made the media person for the Arena Lacrosse League, voted onto the board of directors of the Brampton Excelsiors Lacrosse Club, as well as being made administrator of the Lacrosse page “Global Lacrosse” with a membership of 9000 members in over 90 Countries. Gary was also made an administrator of Lacrosse History Past Present and Future in 2022.
Mr. Groob co-hosts a weekly Lacrosse show on Spanglish Sports World, and ZingoTV channel 250, as well as writes a weekly lacrosse column for La Portada Canada News (both in print, and online).
Gary also hosts a Lacrosse talk show and podcast for The Edge of Philly Sports Network, seen live Sunday nights at 9pm (ET), and archived on the Edge of Philly YouTube page, as well as Spotify.
Mr. Groob’s other sports interests include Hockey, Football, Boxing, Wrestling, and Baseball, competing competitively in Boxing and Wrestling for many years.
