Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 12/11/11
The Philadelphia Wings of the National Lacrosse League (NLL) began their exhibition season today by losing a close game to the Rochester Knighthawks, 11-8, at Sun National Bank Center at Trenton, N.J.
The Wings featured a balanced scoring attack with eight different players scoring in the game.
The Wings dominated the first half on both sides of the ball and led 4-2 at halftime. Led by goal tender Brandon Miller, the Wings defense held the Knighthawks to just two goals despite being outshot 25 to 22. Drew Westervelt, David Brock, Brodie Merrill and Brendan Mundorf each scored a goal in the first half while new Wing Ned Crotty added two assists. Miller only played in the first half and finished with 25 saves. Transition player Max Seibald scooped up 10 loose balls in the game.
The scoring picked up in the third quarter as both teams lit the lamp three times. The Wings led 7-5 heading into the final period. Scoring goals for the Wings were Kevin Crowley, Max Seibald and Crotty. However in the final period, the Knighthawks outscored the Wings 6-1 and the team ultimately dropped the game 11-8.
Despite losing the game, there are many positives that the team can take from the exhibition game. With starting goal tender Brandon Miller between the pipes during the first half the Wings played poised and solid defensively.
Sunday’s game marked the first time rookie forward Kevin Crowley and transition player Brodie Merrill suited up for the Wings. Crowley was selected by the Wings with the first overall selection in the 2011 NLL Entry draft. The rookie forward tallied a goal and two assists in his Wings debut. Merrill was acquired in an offseason trade that sent former Wings forward Athan Iannucci to the Edmonton Rush. Merrill, a two-time Transition Player of the Year also scored in his Wings debut.
The Wings will open the regular season against the Rochester Knighthawks at Wells Fargo Center on Saturday, January 14 at 7 p.m.
Call 215-389-WING (9464) or visit WingsLAX.com to tickets for the upcoming 2012 Philadelphia Wings season.
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