Dan Stroup had five goals and three assists to lead the Toronto Rock to a 19-12 win over the Syracuse Smash on Friday.

The win, in front of a record crowd of 13,300, gave the Rock a share of first place with the Baltimore Thunder and Rochester Knighthawks. All three teams are 6-3, but Baltimore visits Rochester today.

"That's what feels the best, that share of first place," said Jim Veltman, who had a goal and three assists. "We worked really hard all year to get here and hopefully we can maintain it."

Chris Gill with three, Pat Coyle and Russ Heard with two each, Colin Doyle, Rory Graham, Derek Keenan, Rodd Squire, Ken Millin and Shawn Williams also scored for the Rock.

Jeff Klozden with four, Paul Gait with three, Ed Fay with two, Neal Powless, Dell Halladay and Bruce Alexander replied for the Smash (2-7).

Toronto won the game in the fourth quarter, outscoring Syracuse 8-1. Heard and Doyle scored 31 seconds apart three minutes into the frame and once Syracuse narrowed the margin to 13-12, the Rock fired six unanswered goals.

"We were biting our nails on the bench," said Veltman. "I have to give Syracuse credit, it was a really close game until the end when we seemed to break away. They didn't have the same legs we have."

Rob Blasdell replaced Toronto starter Bob Watson late in the third quarter and stopped 11 of 12 shots, and was named Co-MVP, with Stroup. Watson stopped 29 of 40 shots.

BOX SUMMARY
                                  1  2  3  4     TOT
Syracuse Smash (2-7)              3  2  6  1  --  12
Toronto Rock (6-3)                5  3  3  8  --  19

SYRACUSE SMASH                TORONTO ROCK

Player stats currently unavailable.

Shots on goal           52    Shots on goal           57
Saves made by           38    Saves made by           40
   Collins                       Watson
   Rankin                        Blasdell

*** STATS LISTED ARE OFFICIAL BY VERIFY WITH NLL ***
*** PLEASE NOTE THAT STATS ARE INCOMPLETE ***