Waterdogs LC entered Week 5 in Fairfield, Connecticut looking to retain at least a share first place in the standings. However, they would be without the services of midfielder and local product Connor Kelly. Meanwhile, Whipsnakes LC were looking for a reversal of fortunes after a slow start. A six-point run in the fourth quarter closed out a 16-13 win for the Waterdogs, who improve to 4-1 and remain atop the standings, tied with Archers. Whipsnakes fall to 1-4 with the loss, and could find themselves in the basement at the halfway point of the season if Atlas and Chrome win their Week 5 matchups.
Hannah, McArdle keep Waterdogs close at halftime
Whipsnakes got on the board first, with Zed Williams assisting Tucker Dordevic (4:35). Jack Hannah equalized for Waterdogs (7:05), but Whipsnakes went on a three-goal run. Two markers from Mike Chanenchuk (7:53; 11:55) and a goal from Will Manny (9:51) put the Whips up 4-1 after one quarter.
Christian Scarpello opened the second quarter scoring for Waterdogs at 1:20. Williams (3:49) pushed the Whipsnakes’ lead back to three, before Waterdogs went on a three-goal run of their own. Kieran McArdle scored unassisted (4:46), then assisted both Michael Sowers (7:48) and Hannah’s second (9:37) to level the game at 5-5. Williams beat the buzzer for his second of the game (11:55) and a slim 6-5 lead for the Whips at the half.
Waterdogs turn it up to 11 in second half
Sowers (1:19) scored his second to tie the game. McArdle then found Ethan Walker (4:29) to give Waterdogs their first lead of the game at 7-6. The lead would be brief, as Williams scored his hat trick goal 28 seconds later. however, Waterdogs assembled another three-goal run to start taking control of the game. Hannah assisted Walker (6:04), then Walker assisted Hannah (7:35). Jake Carraway followed (8:01) for a 10-7 lead. Dordevic’s second (8:41) and the fourth from Williams (11:48) cut the deficit to 10-9 entering the final frame.
Whipsnakes’ run continued into the fourth quarter. Williams scored his fifth of the day (1:26). Connor Kirst followed eight seconds later, then Keegan Khan (3:24) put the Whips back up 12-10. Less than a minute later (4:11) Hannah fired a 2-pointer to tie the game. It would ignite a five-goal, six-point run for the Waterdogs. Thomas McConvey (5:24), McArdle (5:32), Carraway (8:23 power play), and McConvey again (9:45) made it 16-12 in favor of Waterdogs. Dordevic’s hat trick goal (11:47) closed the scoring.
Other Stats of Note
Six different Waterdogs players (Carraway, Hannah, McArdle, McConvey, Sowers, Walker) had at least two goals
Petey LaSalla went 26 for 31 on faceoffs and had 22 Ground Balls, which led all players. By comparison, the Waterdogs as a team had 27 Ground Balls total for the game.
Brian Phipps (9 saves) and Kyle Bernlohr (5 saves) split time in net for Whipsnakes. Dillon Ward made 16 saves in the win.
Turnovers: Waterdogs 10; Whipsnakes 19
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“Muffler” Mike Kostiuk was formally introduced to box lacrosse when he attended a New England Black Wolves game on a whim in 2016. Instantly hooked, he has since become an avid follower of the National Lacrosse League. Following the postponement of the 2019-2020 NLL season, he was offered the chance to share his wealth of statistical knowledge and unique insights with the lacrosse community at large. He cheerfully accepted, and currently serves as Edge of Philly’s correspondent for both the Albany FireWolves and New York Riptide.
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