Everything You Need to Know About the 2023 PLL Championship Game

The Premier Lacrosse League returns to Subaru Park in Chester, Pa., on Sunday to treat the Philadelphia area to its second PLL championship game in as many years.

It’ll be the defending champion Waterdogs against the top-seeded Archers for the crown in the league’s fifth season.

On Saturday, coaches and players from both teams — as well as Mike and Paul Rabil — addressed the media in the leadup to the event.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Premier Lacrosse League championship game.

WHO: (1) Archers vs. (2) Waterdogs
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 24, at 3 p.m. Eastern
WHERE: Subaru Park, Chester, Pa.
WATCH: ABC or ESPN+

THE MATCHUP

The Archers and Waterdogs met twice during the regular season and twice played a game-of-the-year candidate. The Archers won 19-18 in Dallas on July 30, and the Waterdogs when 14-13 in Salt Lake City on Aug. 25.

“There’s familiarity on both sides,” Waterdogs head coach Andy Copelan said. “That Dallas shootout was pretty wild. … Both of these teams have some offensive firepower, but we’re both pretty defensive oriented.”

“Both games have been unbelievable to watch this season,” Paul Rabil said. “I think we’re all hoping for a similar one.”

THE WEATHER

The forecast is less than ideal for Sunday’s game, with weather.com predicting a 40-percent chance of rain beginning at 9 p.m. Saturday night and the precipitation continuing at least through the opening draw at 3 p.m.

“Personally, I’ve always kinda liked playing in bad weather,” Archers attackman and league MVP Tom Schreiber said. “I think it almost fires you up. You almost feel a little sense of adversity to try to rise to the occasion.”

INJURY REPORT

The Archers will be dealing with two key injuries — one confirmed, and one less so.

Latrell Harris tore his ACL earlier this summer, and although Archers head coach Chris Bates said Harris will be there with the team on the sideline, he’ll obviously be inactive. Challen Rogers has done his best to replace the league’s SSDM of the year.

“Challen, I’ve said throughout the season what kind of competitor he is, what kind of teammate he is,” Bates said. “We’ve got such great faith in him in a game like this. This is why we signed him.”

Less certain is the status of Connor Fields, who suffered a right shoulder separation two weeks ago in the semifinals after absorbing a big hit by Garrett Epple. Fields is officially listed as “doubtful” but was still included on the Archers’ 19-man roster, and Bates said Saturday afternoon’s practice would determine how it shakes out.

If Fields can’t go, then Reid Bowering will fill his spot.

“Connor’s still to be determined,” Bates said. “He feels pretty good, but we’ve got to get a look at him. … The decision for Reid is, it may seem a little odd because he hasn’t played this year. But he’s a professional. I think the left-handedness, giving us balance in the lineup, is important.”

For what it’s worth, Copelan said he’s preparing his defense as if Fields will play.

OH, CANADA

Both starting goalies — Dillon Ward of the Waterdogs and Brett Dobson of the Archers — can tilt the field and erase an offense. Both played for Team Canada in the 2023 World Lacrosse Men’s Championship in San Diego, earning a silver medal.

Ward ranks first in the PLL with a 61.2 save percentage, and Dobson ranks third at 58 percent.

PHILLY, PHILLY

Several key figures in Sunday’s game either hail from or reside near Philadelphia, adding a home element to the game. Chris Bates spent 15 years as a coach at Drexel (10 years as the head coach) and won three championships with the Philadelphia Wings, and said he’ll have plenty of supports in attendance.

Michael Sowers, from nearby Dresher, Pa., said his mother has personally purchased at least 150 tickets for friends and family to attend. Ryan Ambler, from Abington, Pa., will also have a large contingent on hand.

THE “ORIGINAL 3” COME FULL CIRCLE

The Archers, one of the PLL’s original six times, have long been a contender — though this is the first time they’ve appeared in the title game.

Schreiber said it’s certainly been a persistent thought over the years.

“This is what it’s all about. We’ve been working for this since training camp. Ryan [Ambler] and I, and Matt McMahon — kind of the “Original 3” from the Archers — this has been on our mind for five years.”

The last time the Archers played at Subaru Park, it was in the First Overall Draft Pick Game in 2019. Bates used the top pick in the 2020 Collegiate Draft on Grant Ament. In many ways, that kickstarted the team’s journey to getting to the title game a few years later.

The faces on offense have changed, with Archers mainstays Will Manny and Marcus Holman departing in free agency, but with Mac O’Keefe reviving his college chemistry with Ament, the Archers offense has looked lethal.

“It’s hard to describe in words how cool this opportunity is,” Ambler said. “You start each year thinking about the end goal, which is winning a championship, and every single roster in this league is incredibly talented. I think this year, specifically, we’ve just focused on the little tasks — each micro-moment.”

Schreiber looked back to look ahead.

“We do have a unique vantage point into it, being here from day one,” Schreiber said.

ARE THE DOGS ON THE LOOSE?

Are the Waterdogs looser than they were in last year’s title game as first-time competitors for the crown? Ask Kieran McArdle, and the answer is, “Uh, no.”

“We’re just a loose group in general, but I wouldn’t mistake that for anything,” McArdle said. “We’re dialed in and ready to go.”

Paul Rabil said the Waterdogs’ thorough 17-6 dismantling of the Cannons in the semifinal round might have been the best showing top-to-bottom of any team this season.

THE FACEOFF

The Waterdogs have made it this far without taking faceoffs traditionally because of the PLL’s rules this season. But what would happen if the game came down to a must-win draw with a few seconds left on the clock?

Expect to see Zach Currier squaring up against Mike Sisselberger.

“If that scenario presents itself, Currier would probably be the guy,” Copelan said. “He’s a much better faceoff person than people may ultimately realize. If it’s a 50-50 ground ball and Zach’s in play, I’m putting my money on Currier to come up with it.”