Cornell attackman CJ Kirst was selected with the first pick by the Philadelphia Waterdogs in the 2025 Premier Lacrosse League College Draft Tuesday night. The draft event was broadcast on ESPN+.
Kirst had been widely projected as the top selection after a college career that saw him set the NCAA men's Division I all-time career goals record. He is the leading scorer for Cornell, ranked No. 1 heading into postseason play.
The Waterdogs, who finished last in the league standings a year ago, are adding Kirst to an attack unit that includes Michael Sowers and Kieran McArdle. The team traded Zed Williams to the Waterdogs for Matt Brandau in December as part of offseason moves..The California Redwoods held the next two picks, numbers two and three overall, after Joe Spallina was named California general manager in March. Joe Spallina named California general manager. The team used the second pick to take Syracuse midfielder Sam English. At pick three, the Redwoods selected Duke midfielder Andrew McAdorey. Redwoods needed playmaking after finishing second to last in goals per game in 2024. The team also needs help in goal. Paul Carcaterra listed Emmet Carroll and Logan McNaney as fits for their goaltending need in his rankings.
The Boston Cannons selected Princeton attackman Coulter Mackesy with the fourth pick. Coach Brian Holman needed a lefty attackman after moving on from Matt Kavanagh last season. Mackesy joins Asher Nolting and Marcus Holman on the attack unit. An injury blow to SSDM Bubba Fairman was another need for the Cannons discussed before the draft. The team defended its Championship Series Crown in February.
The Carolina Chaos, under new head coach Roy Colsey and GM Spencer Ford, selected Notre Dame attackman Chris Kavanagh at pick five. Roy Colsey next Chaos head coach. The Chaos offense finished last in scoring in 2024. Attackman Josh Byrne stepped away from the Carolina Chaos this summer, creating a need for a proven scorer.
The New York Atlas picked LSM/D Levi Verch from Saint Joseph’s sixth overall. The Atlas needed more middies and versatile longpoles heading into camp. Paul Carcaterra's positional rankings listed Verch as the top defense player available..The Maryland Whipsnakes selected Penn State midfielder Matt Traynor with the seventh pick. The Whipsnakes lost midfielder Tucker Dordevic to injury and saw Kyle Bernlohr's retirement at goalie. Rob Pannell joined the Maryland Whipsnakes in free agency, adding attack depth. Coach Jim Stagnitta also needed an LSM who could push transition.
The Utah Archers, the back-to-back league champions, picked Georgetown midfielder Aidan Carroll eighth. The Archers sought offensive midfield depth and reinforced their longpole depth up top. Other longpoles like Ben Wayer and Jack McDonald were considered fits for the Archers' needs.
