The Rochester Knighthawks erased a 7-6 fourth-quarter deficit and survived a late-game push from the Buffalo Bandits to come away with a narrow 12-11 win over the defending NLL champions in their preseason opener Sunday at KeyBank Center.
Dan Lomas, who’s back for his second stint in Rochester and first with the expansion-era Knighthawks, and 2022 first overall pick Thomas McConvey each scored twice and added three assists to tie for the team lead with five points. Newcomer Kyle Waters (3+1) and returnees Ryan Smith (1+3) and Parker Pipher (1+3) each notched four points, including the game-winning goal from Pipher, while R.I.T. standout Pent Eistrat scored twice to round out the scoring.
“It was a good test. We had a really good start. I think it was a good, solid 60 minutes. Offensively, we were moving the ball, which was nice to see. We had a lot of opportunities. Defensively, we were quick, physical, and we were on hands, and all three goalies made some key stops,” said Knighthawks head coach Mike Hasen.
Rylan Hartley earned the start, making 18 saves through the first half, but the win was credited to Riley Hutchcraft.
Pent Eistrat with the penalty shot beauty 🤩 pic.twitter.com/uun9q58kab
— Rochester Knighthawks (@RocKnighthawks) November 12, 2023
“It was nice to be out there with the boys and get some chemistry going,” said McConvey. “It was a higher speed than what I’m used to, but that’s what the preseason and training camp is for.”
Josh Byrne led the Bandits with a five-point effort on one goal and four assists while Chase Fraser recorded a hat trick as part of a four-point day. Dhane Smith, a two-time NLL MVP and three-time All-NLL selection, also chipped in four points, including three assists.
Brad McCulley, Justi Robinson, Chris Cloutier, Ian MacKay and Kyle Buchanan also scored found the back of the net Bandits.
AIR SMITTY pic.twitter.com/pVNkU6xfWm
— Rochester Knighthawks (@RocKnighthawks) November 12, 2023
Steve Orleman and Devin Shanahan split the goaltending duties for Buffalo.
Tied 2-2 after the first quarter following back-to-back goals from McConvey, Rochester took its first lead of the day just 2:05 into the second when Smith converted off a nifty one-handed flip pass from Lomas.
“It felt really good,” said McConvey when asked about scoring his first goal of the contest. “I had some chances early and they didn’t fall and this one did. It takes the monkey off your back and a little relief off your back and kind of let’s you play a little more freely, so it was nice to get it early.”
Buffalo would then score twice in a three-minute span before the Knighthawks went on a three-goal run, including Eistrat converting on a breakaway opportunity, to take a 6-4 lead into halftime.
“It’s always good to come back for another year, be with the boys again, and compete,” said Eistrat. “It was good to play somebody else for the first time this season. “I was feeling good out there. I had a good warm-up, and I felt well-rested… it gives you more confidence putting the ball in the net.”
A low-scoring third quarter saw only a combined three goals between the two teams with the Bandits taking a 7-6 lead.
The fourth quarter proved to be a scoring frenzy with eight total goals between the I-90 rivals.
📍 Buffalo
It’s a beautiful day for lacrosse! pic.twitter.com/Agnvm1p6Ej
— Rochester Knighthawks (@RocKnighthawks) November 12, 2023
After Rochester stormed out to a 12-9 advantage, the Bandits closed the gap in the final minutes but couldn’t complete the comeback as the Knighthawks held on for the 12-11 win.
“Feels good to be back. It’s a pleasure playing with the boys. It’s good to get the monkey off the back; fantastic look by Lomas to help seal the deal,” said Pipher.”
“Whenever you go out there, you’re competing,” said McConvey. “Even though it’s preseason, you’re still trying to win, and you want to give your best effort. They’re the defending champs, so even just knocking them off in preseason gives us some confidence to build on. We obviously have some things to work on, but getting that first win is definitely huge for the team.”
