Photo courtesy of the Premier Lacrosse League
The Waterdogs’ inaugural season feels strangely like the 2019 Chrome as they continue to lose tight games. They fall to 0-3 with a total goal differential of -4, while the Chrome look revitalized in 2020 moving to 3-1 on the season, with their lone loss coming in overtime to the undefeated Archers.
Chroman Empire Dominate First Three Quarters
The first three quarters were all Chrome as they held an 11-3 lead going into the fourth. They had goals from a half a dozen different players, Galloway was doing Galloway things in cage, and the defense took advantage of every Waterdogs’ mistake. Late addition to the Utah roster,Jesse King, was making his presence felt.
Even the specialists for Chrome were making outrageous things happen.
Waterdogs Come Back in the Fourth
The fourth quarter is where things get, well, a little hectic. The Waterdogs found some energy, and that energy’s name wass Kieran McArdle. He had 5 goals in Friday’s game, including this one to help spark a 9-1 run in the fourth.
Drew Simoneau, who doesn’t typically stay on offense for very long made sure he got in on the scoring, as he carried the ball to X and torched Connor Farrell.
Then, as if things couldn’t get any crazier, Connor Kelly hits this ridiculous 2-bomb to draw the game to 1.
Survive and Advance
Luckily, the Chrome didn’t have to deal with the embarrassment of blowing an Atlanta Falcons sized lead, but the fourth quarter was certainly a wake-up call. If the team is going to have success in next week’s playoffs, they will need to learn how to play a complete game, not 3/4 of one. Regardless, the Chrome of 2020 are benefiting from solid play across the board, and an absolutely revitalized defense.
Treading Water
The Waterdogs have shown so many glimpses of greatness its hard to believe they are an expansion team. What happened in the fourth quarter today was a team showing its identity, a team finding a way to make things happen when most teams would’ve packed it up. In order to beat the Chaos and make a playoff run the dogs will need to find a way to start faster than they have been, tighten up the settled defense, and get more consistent play in net. Look for Matt DeLuca, who finished the game in net, to possibly get a shot against the Chaos, with Charlie Cipriano exiting Friday’s contest due to injury.
Next Up
The Waterdogs are back in action on Saturday as they face the Chaos at 3:30pm ET in a battle of the leagues only win-less teams. The Chrome concluded pool play with today’s win and enter the weekend in 3rd place as they await playoff seeding.
PLL Betting Breakdown
A 12-goal fourth quarter pushed the goal total to 25, hitting the over. As for the spread, congrats to Waterdogs +1.5 bettors who never lost hope.
