Justin Ivey, Beat Writer New England Black Wolves
Lacrosse is Awesome
Bonus time was needed to declare a winner Friday night in Connecticut, and for the second week in a row, the New England Black Wolves (2-3) would come through late in the game. The visiting Rochester Knighthawks (2-3) furious rally came up short, but they proved they are not a team to be overlooked in the East Division. The game was full of excellent defenses and miraculous saves from both net-minders. Final Score: New England 10 – Rochester 9.
The Black Wolves won the opening faceoff as Zac Reid gathered the loose ball, and the game was underway. The first two minutes were foreshadowing for what would be a game won in the trenches. Possessions were long, and both defensive units made key plays to stop players from getting open looks. Rochester would open the scoring as Dan Lomas (1G, 1A) would put in a power play goal 2:28 into the quarter. This was not a good trend for the Black Wolves after allowing nine power play goals in the first tilt with Rochester this season. Just a few minutes later, Rochester would be back on the man advantage as a bench minor for illegal substitution was called. Evan Kirk (46SV) would turn away some great looks to keep the deficit at one. New England would take almost the whole quarter to answer the Rochester goal. Derek Searle (1G) would fire a top corner shot past Matt Vinc (47SV) on the odd man rush with only 36 seconds left in the quarter. It was Searle’s first NLL goal and it was extra sweet as it came against the team that drafted him last year. The score at the end of the first quarter would stand at New England 1—Rochester 1.
Defense would rule the first half of the second quarter as well. A Rochester diving attempt early in the quarter would be a confirmed no goal after a Rochester challenge. One back and forth would see Matt Vinc stuff a two on one opportunity to see Rochester rush the ball to the other side. Kirk would stop two doorstop shots, the second with the bare glove. New England would finally score 8:51 into the quarter. The eighth pick in this year’s draft, Seth Oakes (1G, 2A), would score his first NLL goal in his second game seeing playtime. Less than a minute later, Kevin Buchanan (1G) would streak down the middle and score another extending the Black Wolves lead to two. The Black Wolves looked in control. After the under-five TV timeout, they would string together three straight possessions without Rochester being able to get the ball across midfield. When Rochester finally did get the ball, they would be forced into a shot clock violation. Play would go back and forth until Shawn Evans (2G, 2A) would net a beautiful, Sports Center worthy, behind the back, top cheddar goal. He gathered the loose ball on a breakaway taking a straight on shot at Vinc. The first attempt missed, but a trailing Derek Suddons (1A) picked up the rebound and gave it back to Evans on the crease who made the improbable look easy. The goal came with just 1:55 left and would be the last goal of the half. Halftime Score: New England 4—Rochester 1.
Black Wolves momentum from the first half translated to a quick second half goal. Kevin Crowley (2G) would find himself open in the middle for a quick pass from Evans and a quick stick, stick side finish. Rochester would answer quickly this time though as Jarrett Davis (1G) found the back of the net and cut their deficit back to three. Bodies were flying all over the floor, with both defenses demanding respect if anyone crossed the middle. Evans would be rewarded from a great Black Wolves ride to net his second of the game. Just three minutes into the second half, and the Wolves would have three goals. Out of the under ten TV timeout Dan Dawson (1G, 2A) would score falling across the crease. The review after the Black Wolves challenge would find inconclusive evidence and the goal would stand. 5:29 into the quarter, Crowley would score again working on the stick side of Vinc. His perfect step back created enough space to let it rip. Pat Saunders (1G, 3A) would score next getting wide open in front of the net off the pick and roll. From here to the end of the quarter, Rochester would make a run. Kyle Jackson (2G, 1A), the Rochester rookie, would score first 12:09 in while man up on the power play. Stephen Keough (2G, 3A) would score his first of the game under a minute later with an absolute laser from outside. Just over a minute later, Jackson would score again as he came around a pick and let it rip. Thankfully, the end of the quarter would put a rest to the Rochester run. End of third quarter score: New England 8–Rochester 6.
Unfortunately for the home fans, the fourth quarter would see the Rochester run continue. Cory Vitarelli (1G, 2A) would make the run four straight goals 1:40 in. Dan Dawson would follow the ball across midfield after the Black Wolves shot clock violation. Rochester would pick it up for the quick start leading to the unsettled opportunity. Two minutes later, Keough would score again pushing off and scoring five hole on Kirk. The five-goal run from Rochester tied the game at 8. What once looked like a runaway, for New England was now a fresh game. The next seven and a half minutes would be scoreless, setting up for a storybook finish. Pat Saunders would get a great opportunity with just under four minutes left to break the tie, but his shot was sent away by Vinc. Chad Culp (2G) was in the right place at the right time and snagged the rebound out of the air quickly pushing it back and past Vinc. With 3:31 left, the Black Wolves had the one goal lead. The Knighthawks would have possession with 46 seconds left and would call a timeout. Vinc would make his way to the bench for the extra attacker. Just nine seconds later, Rochester would tie the game again. Joe Resetarits (1G, 3A) would score from outside after passing it back and forth with Dan Lomas outside. The ensuing faceoff was tied up under a fallen Rochester player and possession was awarded to New England. With 21 seconds remaining, it would be Kirk’s turn to run to the bench for the extra attacker. Crowley would have the chance to be the hero again, but could not get the ball past Vinc. This game was headed to overtime with the score of New England 9–Rochester 9.
The first few possessions of overtime saw reenergized defenses as openings were hard to find. Just 1:53 in though, Evans would back his way towards the center of the net. His behind the back toss to Culp was caught one handed. Culp gathered the ball, took two steps forward and buried the game winner, sending the home crowd to their feet. Final Score OT: New England 10–Rochester 9 OT
UP NEXT:
New England travels to Minnesota to take on the Swarm on February 11 at 7:05 ET.
Rochester will host the Saskatchewan Rush on February 11 at 7:30 ET.
NOTABLE STATS:
NE – Both Seth Oakes and Derek Searle scored their first NLL goals.
NE – Kevin Crowley (11) is the first Black Wolves player to reach double digit goals this year.
NE – Jay Thorimbert continued his faceoff domination winning 15 of the 22 he took.
ROC – Kyle Jackson, selected seventh overall in the 2016 Entry Draft, leads Rochester with 20 pts.
ROC – Cory Vitarelli got his first goal of the season.
Justin Ivey, Beat Writer New England Black Wolves
Lacrosse is Awesome