CJ Kirst is on the cusp of breaking Marcus Holman's single-season goals record, but he's not the only one making a strong case for the 2026 PLL MVP award.
The Premier Lacrosse League's Most Valuable Player debate is heating up, with three players vying for the top honor. With two weeks remaining in the season, the outcome is still far from certain.
Kirst's historic goal-scoring season has drawn significant attention, with the second-year phenom already tying Holman's record for goals in a single season (30) last weekend. He's expected to break the record during Philadelphia's Homecoming Weekend in two weeks. Kirst's impressive shooting percentage (42.3%) and balanced goal-scoring style (15-15 split of assisted and unassisted goals) make him a compelling candidate for the award.
However, Kirst's success on the field is also benefiting his teammate Michael Sowers, who's dominating matchups against each opponent's second-best defenseman. Sowers has posted hat tricks in his last five games, including 10 unassisted goals during that stretch.
Sowers' impressive statistics – 41 points on 21 goals and 20 assists – make a strong case for him as the MVP. He leads the PLL in points, assists, and assist opportunities, and ranks second in both touches and passes. Sowers' ability to read defenses and quarterback possessions from X has made him indispensable for head coach Bill Tierney and the Philadelphia Waterdogs.
Utah's goalie Brett Dobson is also making a strong case for the MVP award, thanks to his impressive defensive performance. The Archers' 9.2 scores against average is on track to be the second-best ever by a PLL team, behind only the 2020 Whipsnakes. Dobson's 60.1% save percentage and 5.6% save percentage over expectation make him one of the best goalies in league history.
The MVP debate will likely continue to heat up in the final weeks of the season. With the PLL's top performers vying for the award, it's anyone's game. The outcome will depend on how each player performs in the remaining games.
Source: Yahoo Sports