SJSports Online
High School Boys Lacrosse

High School Girls Lacrosse

Lacrosse Links

Lacrosse Spotlight:
Wings Win Third In A Row
Philadelphia Rolls Over Rock, 10-9

Saturday, January 27, 2007

By Jennifer Stefani
Philadelphia Wings Correspondent

PHILADELPHIA - The Wings continued their winning streak with a 10-9 win over the Toronto Rock, Saturday at the Wachovia Center in front of 11,292 fans. It was the team's second win in as many nights. Philadelphia defeated New York Friday night. Athan Iannucci led the Wings with three goals and two assists. Goalie Matt Roik led Philadelphia with 31 saves.

"It feels great," said Wings' General Manager and Head Coach Lindsay Sanderson. "We won back-to-back games this weekend. It was just fantastic. We had a slow start and came back with three strong wins. We're starting to get things together and are confident now."

The Wings came out firing in the first quarter, taking a quick 2-0 lead. Keith Cromwell and Sean Greenhalgh each scored within a 28-second span. Athan Iannucci assisted on both goals. The Rock capitalized on their first power play to cut the lead in half on a goal by Aaron Wilson. Philadelphia was unable to score on its man-advantage midway through the quarter, but added to its lead with a Jeff Ratcliffe tally. The Rock struck on the power play once again to pull within one on a Blaine Manning goal at the end of the quarter.

Toronto carried the momentum in the second quarter, starting with its third power play goal, scored by Josh Sanderson. Ryan Benesch and Wilson scored in a 16-second span midway through the quarter to give the Rock a two-goal lead. The Wings scored their only goal of the quarter on the power play from Greenhalgh. Toronto took a 5-4 lead into the locker rooms.

The Rock started the scoring in the second half with Benesch's second tally of the night. The Wings took control of the game as Athan Iannucci scored three straight goals in less than five minutes. The third goal came on the power play. Dan Marohl added another goal on the man advantage to give Philadelphia a two-goal lead. Toronto quickly got the two goals back, with scores from Matt Shearer and Derek Suddons. The game was knotted at eight going into the final quarter.

Toronto broke the tie at the start of the fourth quarter as Benesch completed the hat trick. Philadelphia battled back with a pair of goals from Geoff Snider. The Rock pulled goalie Bob Watson with over three minutes remaining in regulation, but he quickly had to return to the net when the Wings gained possession. A holding penalty on Kevin Fines gave Philadelphia the man-advantage with just under a minute and a half left on the clock. The Wings controlled the ball for most of the remaining time on the clock to seal the victory.

Athan Iannucci led the Wings in scoring with five points (3G,2A). Five other players scored goals for Philadelphia, including Sean Greenhalgh (2G,2A), Keith Cromwell (1G,2A), Dan Marohl (1G,2A), Jeff Ratcliffe (1G), and Geoff Snider (2G,1A). Goaltender Matt Roik made 31 saves.

Ryan Benesch led the Rock in scoring with five points (3G,2A). Five other players scored for Toronto, including Blaine Manning (1G,4A), Josh Sanderson (1G,1A), Aaron Wilson (2G,2A), Matt Shearer (1G,2A), and Derek Suddons (1G). Goaltender Bob Watson had 42 saves on the night.


Copyright South Jersey Sports Online Inc.