Rockets Fall Short On The Field, Win Big Off The Field
October 1, 2012 - Professional Lacrosse League (PLL-1)
Reading Rockets News Release
Reading, PA - September 25, 2012 - Despite the result on the scoreboard, the launch of the Reading Rockets was a success, as the team took the field at the Sovereign Center to face the Jacksonville Bullies in the first game in franchise history on Saturday night. The Rockets dominated the first half of the game, but eventually fell in overtime, losing by a score of 11-10 .
The Sovereign Center officially became "The Launch Pad" as Captain Evan Swiker led his teammates out onto the turf and the crowd welcomed them by wearing pink to support the evening's charity theme. The Rockets wore special jerseys, which were auctioned off after the game to benefit St. Joseph's Cancer Center and Susan G. Komen of Philadelphia. $1,000 was raised to benefit these organizations.
On the field, the Rockets took off, dominating the play early and jumping to a 5-2 lead at the end of the first quarter. Assistant captain Travis Bland scored the first goal in team history just 1:22 into the game on a nice feed from fellow Canadian Brendan Muise. Rockets goaltender Scotty Komer started the game well, but was knocked out of the game less than two minutes in, after being run over by Bullies player Wade Bucktooth.
Bland would strike again at 3:37, with Drexel University grad Andrew Collins picking up the assist. The Bullies answered with a goal from Wade Bucktooth at 7:19. Former Philly Wing Dan Deckelbaum chipped in less than five minutes later with an unassisted goal at 8:05. Collins would feed Bland again at 10:38 to complete the first quarter hat trick and Jake Davis converted a breakaway chance at 11:23. Bucktooth would a second goal at 14:41 to close out the scoring in the first quarter.
Jacksonville started the second quarter with goals by Tom Compitello and Andrew Kirkaldy less than 30 seconds apart, but Colton Vosburgh potted his first professional goal on an assist from Muise at 8:07 to swing the momentum back to the home team. Deckelbaum would add his second of the night at 9:49 with helpers from Ryan Maciaszek and Bland. Davis would score again just 54 seconds later to make the lead 8-4. Compitello answered with his second goal at 12:54 to make the halftime score 8-5 Reading.
The teams went back and forth in the first half of the third quarter, with Jacksonville's Kirkaldy netting his second at 2:56 and Elliott Bender converting a Junior Bucktooth pass at 3:35. Davis finished off his hat trick just over a minute later on a pass from Maciaszek at 4:42. Kirkaldy responded with a hat trick goal of his own at 5:05. Deckelbaum set up Bland for his fourth of the night at the 5:33 mark to end the flurry and give the Rockets a 10-8 lead heading into the fourth quarter. The Bullies pulled even at 12:34 of the fourth as Kirkaldy netted his fourth of the night and Junior Bucktooth sealed the win for Jacksonville just 30 seconds into overtime.
Rockets backup goaltender Findley Wilson stopped 51 of the 62 shots in a losing effort. Spencer Lyon notched the win for Jacksonville, stopping 46 of the 56 shots he faced. The Rockets hope to avenge the loss as the two teams face off again on Saturday in Jacksonville. Scotty Komer has been ruled out for the game.
The Rockets head to Charlotte next week before returning to the Launch Pad on November 1. For more information on Rockets season tickets, group rates, family four packs and more, visit rocketslax.com! ~~~~~
The Reading Rockets are a professional indoor lacrosse organization in the Professional Lacrosse League (PLL). To learn more about the team, league, schedule or corporate partnership opportunities, contact the staff at (610) 314-7323 or log on to website.
Professional Lacrosse League Stories from October 1, 2012
- Rockets Fall Short On The Field, Win Big Off The Field - Reading Rockets
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