Justin Ivey, Co-Editor
Lacrosse is Awesome©
For the last matchup of opening weekend for the 2024 NLL season, the Philadelphia Wings (1-0) visited the New York Riptide (0-1) at Nassau Coliseum. Neither team made the 2023 postseason and are looking to turn things around with the new season upon us. On the back of a strong first quarter and a big game from Blaze Riorden (4G), the Philadelphia Wings spoiled the home opener for the New York Riptide. Final Score: Philadelphia-13, New York-10.
The first quarter did not have many good notes for the home team Riptide as the Wings came out swinging. It was almost a perfect quarter for Philadelphia. After a Riptide penalty 1:07 into the opening quarter, Holden Cattoni (2G) wasted no time breaking the scoreless tie. His power play goal from the outside trickled into the net past New York goaltender Cameron Dunkerley (36SV) just six seconds later. After the quick start, Philadelphia didn’t find the back of the net again until 2:40 remained. But, they also held the Riptide scoreless for the time. Riorden notched his first of the night falling into the crease from just beside it to double the Wings lead. With another powerplay opportunity in the closing minutes, the Wings made it 3-0 with a diving goal from Ben McIntosh (2G, 2A) that was originally ruled a crease violation and overturned after a coach’s challenge. At the end of the first quarter, Philadelphia led New York 3-0.
The heat continued for the Wings in the second quarter. Just 1:27 in, Sam LeClair (1G, 2A) streaked to the middle from the bench in transition and buried the ball high off an assist from Mike McCannell (1G, 1A). After the quick opening goal, both teams again settled down defensively. Unfortunately for the home team, Philadelphia wasn’t done. With 8:56 left, Mitch Jones (2G, 6A) picked up a juicy rebound right in front of the crease and quickly hit the net. Philadelphia now led 5-0. Looking for anything to get them going, the Riptide won the ensuing faceoff and veteran Jay Thorimbert (1G) took it to the cage himself. Just 6 seconds after the Wings goal, the Riptide were finally on the board. The goal definitely sparked the home team and crowd as New York went on to outscore Philadelphia 4-1 for the remainder of the half. Late in the shot clock on their next possession, Connor Kearnen (2G, 3A) snuck his way below his defender to the crease to make it two quick goals. Cattoni broke up the Riptide run with his second of the game just over a minute later, but Mitch Wilde (1G), Kearnan, and Damon Edwards (1G, 1A) all scored with under five minutes remaining to get the home team within one. At the half, Philadelphia led New York 6-5.
The Blaze show came out of the locker room for the Wings in the third quarter. Just under a minute and a half in, Riorden picked up a rebound, had his put back blocked, fought for that rebound, turned to the net and dove across the crease to score. Just over two minutes later, Jones found Riorden as he peeled away from the pick wide open in the same spot. Blaze caught the ball, spun and dove across the crease to score his second in a row. Philadelphia now led New York 8-5 with 11:06 left in the third. The Riptide struck next with a powerplay goal from Jeff Teat (1G, 4A), his lone goal of the game, but the Wings were happy to trade goals for the remainder of the quarter. Alex Pace (1G, 1A) brought the lead back to three with 6:58 remaining. Under a minute later, Kiel Matisz (2G, 1A) got the Riptide back within two, but McIntosh tallied the last of the quarter to restore the Wings’ three goal lead. At the end of the third quarter, Philadelphia led New York 10-7.
New York started the fourth quarter on the right foot when Matisz dodged and dove across the crease for the opening score 2:22 in. The Wings were playing with poise though and were not shaken. Just over a minute later, Jones restored the three-goal lead again, and with 6:11 remaining, McCannell scored in transition to make it four. With just under four minutes remaining, Larson Sundown (1G, 1A) gave a little hope back to the home crowd with a powerplay tally, but under a minute later Riorden netted his fourth and final of the night. Reilly O’Connor (1G, 3A) played until the whistle and scored with 14 seconds remaining, bringing us to our final. Final Score: Philadelphia-13, New York-10
Up Next:
The Philadelphia Wings (1-0) visit the Toronto Rock (0-0) on Saturday, December 9 at 7:00 PM EST.
The New York Riptide (0-1) host the Halifax Thunderbirds (1-0) on Friday, December 15 at 10:00 PM EST.