Philadelphia Win Streak Ends

Published on March 12, 2005 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Philadelphia Wings News Release


PHILADELPHIA - The Wings' three-game winning streak ended as Rochester defeated Philadelphia, 13-12, Saturday at the Wachovia Center in front of 12,731 fans. Knighthawks goalie Pat O'Toole earned the win with 38 saves and also contributed with two assists. The Wings held a third-quarter lead, but Rochester scored four unanswered goals to take the permanent lead. Scott Evans led the Knighthawks in scoring, while Jeff Ratcliffe and Tom Marechek each had four goals and two assists for Philadelphia.

"We made a couple poor decisions at crucial times," said Wings' coach Lindsay Sanderson. "At crucial times we threw away the ball. That's what happens when you play a good team." The Knighthawks dominated in the first quarter, despite being outshot, 13-5. Rochester scored three short-handed goals in the quarter. Scott Evans started the scoring while his team was down a man and Mike Accursi continued the attack less than a minute later with another short-handed goal. Keith Cromwell cut the lead in half for Philadelphia, but Evans answered with his second short-handed goal. John Grant finished the scoring in the quarter with two seconds on the clock to give Rochester a 4-1 lead.

The Wings took control at the start of the second quarter with quick goals by Jeff Ratcliffe and Dan Marohl to pull within one. Ken Millin scored Rochester's first goal of the quarter, but the Wings struck next with Ratcliffe's second tally. Shawn Williams added his first goal for the Knighthawks, but Ratcliffe completed the hat trick with a diving shot to make the score, 6-5, in favor of Rochester at halftime.

Philadelphia opened the quarter with goals by Tom Marchek and Cromwell to take its first lead of the game. The Knighthawks battled back with four unanswered goals to go up by three (Evans, Grant Soudan, Williams). Marechek contributed with his second tally to make it a two-goal game going into the final quarter. The fourth quarter didn't start well for Philadelphia, as Andrew Guindon knocked the ball into his own net. Evans was credited with the goal, his fourth. Ratcliffe scored his fourth to keep the Wings in the game and Jake Bergey scored his first to bring Philadelphia within one. Williams and Pat Dutton answered for Rochester. Rookie Rob Van Beek was pulled down while racing towards an empty net and was awarded a penalty shot. He was stopped by O'Toole. Marechek scored two goals in a minute span, both assisted by Jeff Spano, to bring the Wings within one goal with just under four minutes left in regulation, but Philadelphia could not get the tying goal. Jeff Ratcliffe led the Wings in scoring with six points (4G,2A). Four other players scored goals for Philadelphia, including Keith Cromwell (2G,3A), Dan Marohl (1G,4A), Tom Marechek (4G,2A), and Jake Bergey (1G,3A),

Scott Evans led the Knighthawks in scoring with four points (4G). Six other players scored for Rochester, including John Grant (2G,4A), Ken Millin (1G,2A), Tim Soudan (1G,1A), Mike Accursi (1G,6A), Shawn Williams (3G,3A), and Pat Dutton (1G,1A).

NOTES: The Wings' Dallas Eliuk earned his fourth Defensive Player of the Year award for his 44-save game vs. the Minnesota Swarm last week. Forward Dan Finck received Rookie of the Week honors for his five-point game (3G,2A) against the Swarm. In addition, the NLL announced that Wings' forward Andrew Burkholder was named Rookie of the Month for February...Individual game tickets for the Wings indoor lacrosse are $10, $20, $27 and $29 in advance ($10, $22, $29 and $31 on game day) and on-sale now at the Wachovia Center Box Office and all Ticketmaster outlets. Get your boarding passes now and take flight with Wings season tickets starting as low as $80 and are available by calling 215-389-WING (9464).

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



National Lacrosse League Stories from March 12, 2005


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central