For the first time since 2015, the Jr. Knighthawks sent two teams to the Jr. NLL Finals. On Sunday, the U15 and U17 teams battled their Jr. Rock counterparts for the NLL Cup at the Toronto Rock Athletic Centre (TRAC).
Despite both teams coming up just short, it was a historic weekend for the pair of Rochester teams. The U15 Jr. Knighthawks started the day by defeating the previously unbeaten Jr. Roughnecks 8-6. The U17 team also defeated the Jr. Roughnecks to reach the title game. Rochester cruised to a 10-3 victory for its fifth tournament win.
In the first championship game, the U15 Jr. Knighthawks gave the unbeaten Jr. Rock all they could handle in a 4-2 loss. Rochester finished with a 5-2 record, with both blemishes coming against the eventual champions.
The Jr. Rock raced out to a 3-0 lead early in the second half, but the Jr. Knighthawks responded with a pair of goals to get within one with seven minutes to play. Nathan Terrance struck first at 5:20 of the second, connecting on a long shot to the far post. Rochester scored again at the 13-minute mark as Royce Thomas notched a power-play tally. Dycen Nanticoke assisted on both goals.
Rochester had a chance late, but the Jr. Rock killed off a late 5-on-3 power play. Kyle Peters’ goal with under two minutes to play secured the victory for Toronto and gave him three goals on the day.
Rhys Reynolds was spectacular in goal for the Jr. Knighthawks, especially in the opening frame, as he made 16 saves. The Jr. Rock got a 13-save effort from starter Dominic Soares as he held the Jr. Knighthawks without a goal in the first half. Matthias Wagner played the second half and stopped 16 of 18.
“I am really proud of how hard our U15 team competed,” said Jr. Knighthawks Director and Coach Brad Gillies. “They went toe to toe with a really good Toronto Rock team. I am proud of the growth our teams have shown.”
The U17 team also rallied from an early deficit but fell 7-6 in overtime. James Holbrough, playing in his final Jr. NLL Tournament, led Rochester with three goals and one assist. He powered the Jr. Knighthawks in the first half, scoring three goals to tie the contest at three. He scored off a crease dive to give the Jr. Knighthawks a 1-0 lead and then tacked on two more to erase a 3-1 deficit. His final goal in the final minute was a beauty as he dove from behind the net and stretched across the crease to fire the ball into the net before touching down in the crease.
“As I just finished my last tournament with the team after being with the program for many years, I am thankful for the opportunity to have played with this team,” said Holbrough, who finished with 58 points in four seasons with the Jr. Knighthawks. “Throughout the years, I have been able to learn and grow as a player and a person and create relationships with new teammates.”
The Jr. Rock scored early in the second half, but Rochester connected for three straight goals to pull in front 6-4. Wyatt Cross tied the game at four at 5:53, and then John Burrows buried back-to-back goals to give Rochester a two-goal advantage. The Jr. Rock, however, evened the game on consecutive goals from Everest L’Homme. Rochester had two chances to pull ahead, but Toronto goalie Lincoln Lawrence made two breakaway stops in the closing minutes to send the game to overtime.
In extra time, Jr. Knighthawks goalie Logan Pyke made a huge stop in the opening minute, denying a Toronto breakaway attempt. He finished the game with 19 saves. Unfortunately, Toronto’s Owen O’Halloran scored on the next possession to earn the victory.
Pyke finished the tournament with three wins and a 5.93 goals-against average. Holbrough led his age group with 20 points and was tied for the lead with 11 goals. Teammate Elyas John was second in points with 19.
James Holbrough had the opportunity to once again play for his dad, Cory. The Jr. Knighthawks bench also included Knighthawks players Brad Gillies and Riley Hutchcraft.
“Playing box has taught me grit and resilience and given me a skill set that has helped me grow as a player,” said Holbrough. “Being able to be coached by Knighthawks players and other great lacrosse players has been one of the best parts about being part of this program. Being a Jr. Knighthawk has been such an important part of my lacrosse experience growing up, and I will forever be thankful for the program.”
After the game, the Jr. Knighthawks coaches expressed their gratitude to the players who came within one goal of raising the Cup.
“What a great final for our boys,” said U17 coach Cory Holbrough. “We came up short, but I am extremely proud of this group of young men and their effort throughout the weekend. Our guys battled hard the whole time in every aspect of the game and executed exactly how the coaches hoped. It was a great game between two strong teams. We’re right there with a team that practices all the time, so we have nothing to hang our heads for.”
Rochester Knighthawks goalie Riley Hutchcraft echoed those sentiments.
“They played amazing. It was a group that listened to everything the coaches were throwing at them and executed everything at a high level,” he said. “It’s a tournament they should be proud of. It was definitely not the result they wanted, but a great group of individuals. I am proud to be able to coach them for the weekend. They did the Knighthawks organization proud. We will get one of these championships soon.”