Knighthawks Fall to Rock in Defensive Battle
February 19, 2017 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Rochester Knighthawks News Release
*â=80-**For Immediate Release*
*Photo of Matt Vinc by Micheline Veluvolu.*
*KNIGHTHAWKS FALL TO ROCK IN DEFENSIVE BATTLE*
*(February 18, 2017)...* In a defensive battle, the Rochester Knighthawks fell 10-6 to the Toronto Rock Saturday night at Connors & Ferris Field at The Blue Cross Arena.
"'V' (Matt Vinc) played very well," said Knighthawks head coach Mike Hasen. "He was making all the saves we expect him to make."
The Rochester goaltender faced 45 shots and made 36 saves, including 19 in the first half. Dan Dawson, who led the way with a season-high two goals as part of a four-point effort, deflected any praise and complimented the defense and Vinc.
"Let's be honest, the defense and 'Vno' played outstanding tonight," said Dawson. "We're putting up six and that's not going to win you any games."
Dawson opened the scoring just 2:54 into the contest to give Rochester a 1-0 lead. He would tally his second goal of the night with a jaw-dropping, one-handed, behind-the-back shot that energized the crowd at 7:36 of the second. Rookie Josh Becker earned his first professional point by assisting on the goal in his pro debut.
Rochester also got goals from Cory Vitarelli, Josh Currier, Brad Gillies and Joe Resetarits. Currier and Resetarits both finished the game with one goal and two assists. After the Rock took a 4-3 lead before half, the remainder of the game was tightly contested until late in the fourth quarter. Rochester led twice in the first half in the defensive struggle.
"We want to get in, get physical," said Hasen. "Physicality in our back end, that's where we want to play. That's what we want to do every night."
The Knighthawks complete their two-game weekend Sunday, traveling to Georgia to play the Swarm at 6:05 p.m.
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Knighthawks Fall to Rock in Defensive Battle (Micheline Veluvolu) |
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