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NLL Rochester Knighthawks

Knighthawks Play Spoiler, Extend Streak to Four Games

April 20, 2019 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Rochester Knighthawks News Release


The Rochester Knighthawks continued their hot streak by knocking off the Vancouver Warriors 18-6 tonight. By winning their fourth straight game, Rochester eliminated Vancouver from playoff contention.

Mike Burke scored the first goal of the game for either side with a tally just 16 seconds into the game, and Austin Shanks scored just 27 seconds later to jolt the Knighthawks to a 2-0 lead. A behind-the-back effort less than three minutes into the first quarter by Vancouver's Tony Malcom raised the intensity, but Rochester remained in control as Kyle Jackson collected his first goal of the game shortly thereafter. Additional goals from Jackson, Cody Jamieson and Ryan Benesch gave Rochester a 6-2 lead after one.

The second quarter of action was not filled with as much goal scoring as the first, but the Knighthawks kicked it off with Burke's second tally of the night nearly five minutes into the quarter. Jackson's assist on the goal gave him 100 in his NLL career.

Benesch then scored two goals just 13 seconds apart to expand the Rochester lead to seven goals less than halfway through the quarter. On the strength of three Jackson goals and 24 saves from Warren Hill, Rochester carried a 10-4 lead into halftime.

Knighthawks Head Coach Mike Hasen continues to be impressed by the play of Hill, and he noted that Hill has been one of the main reasons behind the team's winning streak.

"He has been focused, and he is making a lot of big saves for us," he said. "He is doing a great job of giving us a chance to win every night."

The Knighthawks once again drew first blood in the third quarter as Chris Boushy opened the scoring with an unassisted marker one minute in. The next goal bore more importance as Benesch scored, giving him six points on the night and 1,000 in his career; becoming just the tenth player in league history to accomplish that feat.

An unassisted goal from Jake Withers 5:08 into the third quarter was the second to last goal of the stanza as Rochester carried a commanding 13-5 lead into the final quarter. Coach Hasen mentioned that it is important to have players who lead by example like Benesch has done since being acquired by the Knighthawks.

"Ryan [Benesch] has been a man on a mission this year," he said. "It is nice to see him scoring for us as opposed to against us."

In the fourth quarter, the Knighthawks continued to dominate the Warriors as goals from Shanks, Jackson, Benesch, Graeme Hossack and Burke, combined with an incredible 53-save performance from Warren Hill, propelled Rochester to an 18-6 victory. Jamieson assisted on Burke's goal for his 700th career point.

The Knighthawks will play their final game of the season at home next Saturday when they take on the New England Black Wolves at 7:30 p.m.

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National Lacrosse League Stories from April 20, 2019


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