Gary Groob
All Lacrosse All The Time – A Division of Edge of Philly Sports Network
The Toronto Rock (8-2) came back home to begin a stretch where they will play three of their next four at home as they faced the winless Georgia Swarm (0-7) in the back half of a home-and-home. In the first half of the two-game set last Friday in Georgia, the Rock got the better of the Swarm, escaping with an 11- 10 win.
Last week, the Swarm climbed back from a 7-2 deficit in the second quarter to even the score at eight a piece towards the end of the third frame. Andrew Kew and Lyle Thompson recorded six points each with Kew recording three goals and three assists and Thompson tallying two goals and four assists. Toronto’s Tom Schreiber was the only Rock member to notch a hat trick (3G, 2A) with Josh Dawick not far behind with two goals.
Kew leads the Swarm in points (35) and assists (24) while ranking second in goals (11). Thompson tops the team in goals, comprising 14 while ranking second in points (29) and assists (15). After securing a hat trick last week, Shayne Jackson totals nine goals on the season, placing him third on the team. The Swarm has only played two road games, with the offense averaging 9.5 goals per game in enemy territory.
Schreiber currently ranks third among NLL players in points with 61 (27G, 34A) while sitting second in goals. Schreiber is joined by teammate Corey Small on the NLL top-20 points leaderboard as he totals 43 (21G, 22A), ranking tied for 12th.
The goaltending match-up had Nick Rose in net for Toronto against Brett Dobson in net for the Swarm.
The first half was a show of defensive strength with neither team getting on the board for the majority of the first quarter. The Rock finally scored, and then put together a five goal run. Georgia played a more aggressive second quarter scoring twice before the Rock would increase the lead to 6-2. Lyle Thompson scored a Sports Center top 10 goal with 0:25 seconds left in the half to narrow the lead to 6-3. The second half had Georgia score early, but the Rock exploded for nine straight goals to put this one away 16-7.
Once again Nick Rose and the Toronto defense were sensational.
Tom Schreiber (4G,4A), Corey Small (3G,6A), Dan Craig (2G,5A), Zach Manns (2G,2A), and Stephen Keogh (2G,2A) all had big nights for the Rock. Lyle Thompson (3G,2A) and Andrew Kew (2A,1A) were the majority of the Swarm offense.
To The Game:
For just over 11:00 neither team could solve each other’s goaltenders. Challen Rogers finally beat Brett Dobson with a side arm laser to the far corner at 11:12 off a Corey Small feed, followed by Dan Craig converting a Josh Dawick pass at 12:16. Tom Schreiber then backhand shoveled a shot unassisted 0:26 seconds later.
After one quarter, Toronto 3 Georgia 0.
Second Quarter:
Tom Schreiber opened the second quarter scoring converting a Corey Small feed at just 0:26 seconds, followed by Stephen Keogh blasting a Corey Small pass with just 0:01 second left in the shot clock at 2:31.
Andrew Kew finally got Georgia on the board converting a Bryan Cole pass at 5:02, followed by Shayne Jackson firing a Lyle Thompson feed in at 11:13.
Latrell Harris increased the Rock lead in transition off a Nick Rose feed at 13:45, but in the highlight reel goal of the night, Lyle Thompson dove across the crease to score with just 0:25 seconds left in the half.
At the half, Toronto 6 Georgia 3.
Third Quarter:
Lyle Thompson scored his second of the night on the power-play to open the second quarter scoring at 2:12, but the Rock took over from there.
Corey Small scored on the power-play off a Tom Schreiber pass at 8:04, followed by Challen Rogers scoring unassisted at 10:05. Dan Craig put a shot to the shortside corner off a Stephen Keogh feed at 10:35, followed by Corey Small blasting a Zach Manns pass at 12:02.
Craig Wende took over for Brett Dobson in the Georgia goal.
After three quarters, Toronto 10 Georgia 4.
Fourth Quarter:
Stephen Keogh kept the Rock run alive converting a Josh Dawick pass at 0:55 seconds, followed by Tom Schreiber’s third of the night off a Dan Craig pass at 2:23. Zach Manns scored with a beautiful behind the back shot off a Josh Dawick pass at 3:24.
Corey Small scored his third of the night off a Dan Craig pass at 5:03, followed by Tom Schreiber’s fourth of the night off a Zach Manns pass shorthanded at 6:28.
The Swarm kept battling with three consecutive power-play goals. Andrew Kew scored off a Shayne Jackson pass at 6:51, followed by Lyle Thompson catching the Rock off guard at 9:24. Bryan Cole converted a Shayne Jackson pass at 9:50, but Zach Mann stopped the Swarm run scoring off a Tom Schreiber pass at 10:57.
Rock backup goalie Troy Holowchuk replaced Nick Rose for the final 4:03.
Final score, Toronto 16 Georgia 7.
The Three Stars:
- Corey Small
- Tom Schreiber
- Nick Rose
Game Stats:
- Toronto outshot Georgia 51-47.
- The Rock won the faceoff battle 19-9.
- The loose ball battle went to Georgia 86-83.
- Georgia went 4 for 4 on the power-play, while the Rock went 1 for 4, also scoring a shorthanded goal.
Top Scorers:
Georgia Swarm:
- Lyle Thompson 3G, 2A
- Shayne Jackson 1G, 3A
- Andrew Kew 2G, 1A
Toronto Rock:
- Corey Small 3G, 6A
- Tom Schreiber 4G, 4A
- Dan Craig 2G, 5A
Don’t forget to check us out every Sunday night at 9pm (ET)
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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