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Rochester Knighthawks

Knighthawks Knock off Rock

January 24, 2015 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Rochester Knighthawks News Release


In a tough defensive battle, the Rochester Knighthawks used stifling defense and a late three-goal run to knock off the Toronto Rock 8-6 tonight at Connors & Ferris Field at The Blue Cross Arena.

"Our defense did a great job. They got in lanes and really disrupted shooting and just did a really great job tonight," Knighthawks goalie Matt Vinc said. "We did a great job blocking a lot of shots and it made my job a lot easier. That's what you need to do. You can't give them too much time or space and I think our 'D' guys, from top to bottom, did a really great job."

Vinc finished the night with a season-high 47 saves and the defense blocked over a dozen shots to hold Toronto to its lowest goal total of the young season.

"'Vno' is a rock back there," said Assistant Captain Mike Kirk. "It's kind of what we've been working on the past couple of weeks, getting back to that. (We need to) make sure he can see the shots so he can make those saves for us."

Offensively, Cody Jamieson led Rochester with four points (2+2). Cory Vitarelli posted a two-goal night, while Paul Dawson, Dan Dawson, Joel Matthews and Dylan Evans each netted one goal each in the team's first win of the season. The Knighthawks improved to 1-2, while Toronto fell to 3-1.

The game was close throughout as Rochester rallied twice in the first half to pull even at two apiece after 30 minutes. Paul Dawson got the Knighthawks on the board with less than one minute left in the first quarter to tie the game at one. In the second, it was Vitarelli who tallied for Rochester as he scored with just 32 seconds left in the half.

"It was definitely a defensive battle and the goalies both played good," said Vitarelli. "It was nice to get a couple goals when we need to and come back with the win. We're definitely happy to get the win. It's just a starting point. If eight goals is what it takes to win then we'll definitely take it."

Just 2:38 into the third, Vitarelli scored his second of the night to give the Knighthawks their first lead of the game at 3-2. Matthews, who was making his Rochester debut, followed with his first Knighthawks goal 7:59 into the third to give his team a two-goal lead.

"It feels great," Matthews said. "All the guys have welcomed me with open arms. (There's a) great team comradery. It's really easy to transition into your game when you've got guys being positive and backing you up and the crowd was amazing. Just all those things make it a lot easier to just do your job. All I was trying to do all night was do my job."

In the fourth, Rochester erased two Toronto leads and finished the contest with three straight goals to knock off the Rock. Evans sparked the comeback with an end-to-end rush and finish early in the fourth to tie the game at five. Dan Dawson, who played in his 200th consecutive regular season game, then scored to tie it up at six apiece at 8:26. But Dawson deflected the praised and noted the solid play of the defense.

"We were really feeding off of the defense tonight. The shots, they were really just soaking into the lanes. That's stuff you thrive off of when they're paying a price like that and when they're scoring in transition to get us going," said Dawson. "We're a defensive unit team and that showed tonight. They give us a chance and we bury it when it counts. (Scoring) is just my job."

It was Jamieson who put the game away as he netted back-to-back goals to finish off the game. He then put up his first of the night to give the Knighthawks a 7-6 lead with 5:49 left in the contest and then struck again with just over a minute left on the game. The defense did the rest in the final 90 seconds. It was a great team win, according to Head Coach Mike Hasen.

"Both units played exceptionally well. They were doing everything we drew up. It was a gutsy game," said Hasen.

The Knighthawks will be back at home on Saturday, January 31st as they take on their thruway rivals, the Buffalo Bandits. Tickets are available by calling the Knighthawks office at (585) 454-4295 or at any Ticketmaster outlet.

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