The Rochester Knighthawks (9-4) returned home seeking their 10th win of the season when they hosted the host the Philadelphia Wings (6-7) at Segar and Sciortino Field at The Blue Cross Arena.
A Tale of the Tape:
The contest featured three of the league’s top six point-getters against Mitch Jones, Joe Resetarits of the Wings, and Connor Fields of the Knighthawks. Jones, who came over to Philadelphia in a midseason trade from Vancouver, ranks third in the NLL in overall scoring with 87 points (28g,59a) in 13 games while Resetarits ranks fifth with 77 points (31g,46a). Fields, meanwhile, sit just one point back of Resetarits with 76 points (38g,38a) during what has become a record-setting season for the fourth-year forward.
Wings Familiar with Western New York:
Resetarits is certainly no stranger to Rochester, having spent five seasons with the previous Knighthawks franchise from 2015-19, during which he recorded 279 points over 78 career games. He capped off his final full season in 2017-18 in historic fashion, establishing career-highs in goals (37), assists (63), and points (100), becoming the first American-born player to log a 100-point season in league history. He was later selected to the NLL All-Pro Second Team. Riordan played his college lacrosse at the University of Albany, was named an All-American, and was the America East Defensive Player of the Year as a senior. He graduated as the program’s Division I all-time leader in saves with 849.
The goalie match-up had Zach Higgins in net for Philadelphia against Rylan Hartley in net for the Knighthawks
Philadelphia got off to a fast start leading 4-1 after one and 6-3 at the half. A scoreless span of almost 25:00 in the second half allowed Rochester to come back and take the lead. Unlike the Wings team that started the year, this team continued to fight, scoring two late goals and sending the game to overtime. In the extra period Blaze Riorden (1g,4a) buried a Joe Resetarits pass 0:19 seconds in for the very important 9-8 win.
To The Game:
The Wings got on the board quickly when Mitch Jones converted a Sam LeClair pass at 1:25. Rochester tied the game when Connor Fields blasted a Holden Cattoni feed past Zach Higgins at 5:39. Eric Shewell converted a pass from Chad Tutton to restore Philadelphia’s lead at 10:28.
Near the end of the quarter, Taite Cattoni and Mitch Jones scored to increase the lead to three goals just 0:16 seconds apart.
After one quarter, Philadelphia 4 Rochester 1.
Second Quarter:
Rochester got off to a good start in the second quarter, with Connor Fields scoring his second of the game off a Ryland Rees pass in transition at 3:58, followed by Thomas Hoggarth picking up Holden Cattoni’s rebound off the back boards and scoring at 10:00 to make this a one-goal game.
The Wings kept pushing, with Ben McIntosh converting a Joe Resetarits feed at 11:05, followed by Taite Cattoni’s second of the afternoon off a Mitch Jones pass at 13:22.
At the half, Philadelphia 6, Rochester 3.
Third Quarter:
Ryan Smith opened the second half scoring, blasting a shot in off a Connor Fields pass at 6:57, followed by Holden Cattoni converting an Austin Hasen pass just 0:20 seconds later, making this a one-goal game. Philadelphia settled the playdown and was able to keep a one-goal lead heading to the fourth quarter.
After three quarters, Philadelphia 6, Rochester 5.
Fourth Quarter:
The Knighthawks tied the game early in the fourth quarter. Ryan Smith converted a Connor Fields pass by putting it top shelf over Higgins’s shoulder at 0:44 seconds, followed by Holden Cattoni firing a shot that trickled over the line at 1:34. Turner Evans increased the lead with a behind the back shot off the rebound from a Holden Cattoni shot at 7:36.
Held scoreless for 24:38, Ben McIntosh blasted a Joe Resetarits pass at 7:53, followed by Resetarits himself scoring off a Trevor Baptiste feed at 8:51 to tie the game.
After regulation, Rochester 8 Philadelphia 8.
Overtime:
Blaze Riorden ended the game quickly, converting a Joe Resetarits feed only 0:19 seconds into the extra period for the Wings win.
The Three Stars:
- Joe Resetarits
- Connor Fields
- Blaze Riorden
Game Stats:
- Shots on goal favored Rochester 56-54.
- Faceoffs were dominated by the Wings 16-5.
- The loose ball battle was tied 74-74
- A clean game with no penalties assessed.
Top Scorers:
Philadelphia Wings:
- Joe Resetarits 1g, 6a
- Blaze Riorden 1g, 4a
- Mitch Jones 2g,2a
Rochester Knighthawks:
- Connor Fields 2g, 4a
- Holden Cattoni 2g, 2a
- Ryan Smith 2g, 1a
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Gary Groob has been involved with Lacrosse for the majority of his life, whether playing, coaching, or covering the sport for the media.
An avid fan, with a real drive about helping to “grow the game”, Gary became part of podcasts about the game 10 years ago. Through the podcasts, Mr. Groob had an opportunity to write about lacrosse, and the rest as they say, is history.
Through many miles (flying and driving) Gary has made inroads with the National Lacrosse League, Major Series Lacrosse League, the Ontario Lacrosse Association, as well as the Arena Lacrosse League, covering the leagues, their teams, and players, working for, and in concert with all of them.
In the year 2020, Mr. Groob was made the media person for the Arena Lacrosse League, voted onto the board of directors of the Brampton Excelsiors Lacrosse Club, as well as being made administrator of the Lacrosse page “Global Lacrosse” with a membership of 9000 members in over 90 Countries. Gary was also made an administrator of Lacrosse History Past Present and Future in 2022.
Mr. Groob co-hosts a weekly Lacrosse show on Spanglish Sports World, and ZingoTV channel 250, as well as writes a weekly lacrosse column for La Portada Canada News (both in print, and online).
Mr. Groob also hosts a Lacrosse talk show and podcast for The Edge of Philly Sports Network, seen live Sunday nights at 9pm (ET), and archived on the Edge of Philly YouTube page, as well as Spotify.
Mr. Groob’s other sports interests include Hockey, Football, Boxing, Wrestling, and Baseball, competing competitively in Boxing and Wrestling for many years.
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