Heading into last night's game at Mellon Arena against Rochester, CrosseFire Coach John Tucker warned his team that the Knighthawks desperately needed a victory.

Apparently his message wasn't received, because the Knighthawks outplayed, out-hustled and out-hit the CrosseFire and won easily, 17-12. The victory ended Rochester's three-game skid and halted the CrosseFire's three-game winning streak.

"This was our worst effort of the season," CrosseFire forward Joe Hiltz said. "We played like a Class B team, not a professional team. We didn't come here to play lacrosse, and it started during warmups. I'm not sure what the problem was, but we better figure something out quick."

The CrosseFire trailed, 7-6, at halftime but played perhaps its worst quarter of the season in the third when Rochester scored nine goals, forced two CrosseFire goaltending changes and took a 16-9 lead into the fourth quarter. Rochester's nine third-period goals were the most against the CrosseFire in any quarter this season.

Tim Soudan led the Rochester attack during the deciding run, scoring five of the Knighthawks' nine goals. Soudan, who added one assist and was named the game's MVP, said the win saved his team's season.

"I stuck my neck out and challenged our guys before this game because it was crucial," Soudan said. "But when you talk big, you better back it up, so I went out and did what I could. I got a few lucky bounces but that's a part of the game. The bottom line is, we have new life and the playoffs are again a reality for us."

Tucker refused comment after watching his team's total collapse in front of 5,325 fans, but the stat sheet told the whole story.

Rochester outshot the CrosseFire, 53-49, and grabbed 60 loose balls to the CrosseFire's 47. In addition, Rochester outscored the CrosseFire, 10-6, in the second half, but three of those CrosseFire goals came in the final four minutes when the game was already out of reach.

It was the second time this season that Rochester (4-4) beat the CrosseFire (5-4), but this one destroyed any chance the CrosseFire had to capture the National Lacrosse League regular-season title. In fact, the loss means the CrosseFire probably has to win its final three games just to make the playoffs.

Rochester took a 2-0 lead in the first three minutes before Paul Gait hooked up with brother Gary to score the CrosseFire's first goal at 6:57. Matt Shearer tied the score, 2-2, at 8:43. The teams traded goals to finish the first period, 3-3.

Rochester scored the first four goals of the second quarter, but the CrosseFire responded with three goals to make it 7-6 at halftime.

The CrosseFire's first goal was scored by Devin Dalep, making him only the second goaltender in professional indoor lacrosse history to score a goal, and the first since Detroit's Ted Sawicki in 1993.

Gary Gait led all scorers with eight points on four goals and four assists. He became the first player in the league history to surpass 600 career points. Paul Gait added three goals and two assists for the CrosseFire.

BOX SUMMARY
                                  1  2  3  4     TOT
Rochester Knighthawks (4-3)       3  4  9  1  --  17
Pittsburgh CrosseFire (5-4)       3  3  3  3  --  12

ROCHESTER KNIGHTHAWKS         PITTSBURGH CROSSEFIRE
               G - A   PTS                   G - A   PTS
Soudan         5 - 1     6    G Gait         3 - 4     7
Grant          3 - 2     5    P Gait         3 - 2     5
C Malawsky     1 - 4     5    Shearer        2 - 0     2
Co Bomberry    1 - 3     4    Dalep          1 - 1     2
Teat           1 - 3     4    Hubbard        1 - 1     2
D Jacobs       2 - 0     2    Tapp           0 - 2     2
Hunt           1 - 1     2    Hiltz          1 - 0     1
Zaph           1 - 1     2    Vizcarrondo    1 - 0     1
McCready       1 - 0     1    Berthiaume     0 - 1     1
Mearns         1 - 0     1    Doddridge      0 - 1     1
Hollenbeck     0 - 1     1    Donavan        0 - 1     1
O'Toole        0 - 1     1    Fulks          0 - 1     1

Shots on goal           53    Shots on goal           48
Saves made by           37    Saves made by           36
   O'Toole           37          Dalep             26
                                 Miller            10
Penalties                7    Penalties                7
Penalty Minutes         17    Penalty Minutes         14
Power Play Goals         3    Power Play Goals         2
Shorthanded Goals        1    Shorthanded Goals        0
Faceoffs Won            12    Faceoffs Won            22
Loose Balls             60    Loose Balls             47

*** STATS OFFICIAL BY VERIFY WITH NLL ***

Thanks to Bandit for providing the official game stats.