The Toronto Rock withstood a fierce challenge from the San Diego Seals on Friday night, emerging with a 14-12 victory in Game 1 of their best-of-three National Lacrosse League semifinal series at TD Coliseum in Hamilton.
Rock Overcome Early Struggles
Despite dominating the first quarter and building a 4-1 lead, the Rock faced a resilient Seals squad that controlled much of the remaining game. Toronto's defense tightened in the latter half of the fourth quarter, allowing two crucial goals in the final two minutes to seal the win.
"I thought we were really good for stretches, but there were times where we didn't do what we needed to do to be successful," said Rock head coach Matt Sawyer. "But when you're not at your best and you find a way to win, those are more special."
First Quarter Dominance
The Rock set the tone early. Sam English opened the scoring with a transition breakaway goal. Mark Matthews, Challen Rogers, and Owen Hiltz also found the net. Goaltender Nick Rose made 12 saves in the period as Toronto took a 4-1 lead.
Seals Fight Back in Second Quarter
The Seals matched Toronto's physicality in the second quarter, particularly on defense, and began scoring from long range. Dylan Watson's second goal of the game sparked the comeback. Tre Leclair, who scored the winning goal last week to eliminate the Colorado Mammoth, added two goals in the period. Noah Armitage and Connor Robinson also scored for San Diego. Chris Boushy scored twice for Toronto, sending the teams to halftime tied 6-6.
Third Quarter Momentum Swings
Toronto killed a five-minute penalty to Josh Jackson to open the third quarter. During that penalty kill, Mark Matthews took a transition feed from Latrell Harris to restore the Rock's lead. Midway through the period, Dan Craig finished another transition opportunity. Off the ensuing faceoff, English gained possession and raced unopposed to the net, giving Toronto a three-goal lead.
Zach Currier and Ben McIntosh scored to bring the Seals back within one. Leclair completed his hat trick in the dying seconds of the period, tying the game 9-9 heading into the final frame.
Fourth Quarter Heroics
Hiltz and Robinson traded power-play goals early in the fourth. McIntosh then gave San Diego its first lead with just over 10 minutes to play, but Rogers tied it again. Matthews beat San Diego goaltender Cameron Dunkerley with 1:33 left to complete a hat trick, and Rogers padded the lead with his hat trick goal seconds later, which proved to be the game-winner. McIntosh completed his hat trick with 44 seconds left. With 22 seconds remaining, English sealed the win with an empty-net goal off a long feed from Rose.
"We took a few half-quarters off and let them stick around," Matthews said. "But the confidence is high for our group."
Series and Other Semifinal
Game 2 is scheduled for Sunday in California. If necessary, Game 3 will be back in Hamilton next weekend. The other semifinal series, between the Georgia Swarm and Halifax Thunderbirds, begins Saturday in Duluth, Ga.
