ORLIN & COHEN POSTGAME REPORT: RIPTIDE BEAT KNIGHTHAWKS 14-9

The New York Riptide and Rochester Knighthawks met Saturday night, April 6th, in a high-scoring battle featuring two of the top offensive players in the league, Jeff Teat and Connor Fields. The Riptide were able to keep their playoff hopes alive with a massive win over Rochester 14-9. This game had massive implications for the playoff picture and now improves New York’s chances of making it drastically. Jeff Teat shined in this matchup, scoring four goals, while registering five assists, totaling nine points on the night. The Riptide now improve to 8-8 and sit in the 7th spot in the playoffs, while Rochester will have to win the rest of their games for a chance.

Your final stats tonight, courtesy @OCSportsMed. pic.twitter.com/h3gC7V53CZ

— New York Riptide (@newyorkriptide) April 7, 2024

The Riptide got the scoring started early in the first quarter off a Jeff Teat goal from Stephen Keogh. The Knighthawks answered with two goals of their own from Connor Fields and Kyle Waters, but the Riptide answered with two of their own from Larson Sundown and Reilly O’Connor to take a 3-2 lead after the first quarter.

Shoot. Roll. Score 🙌 O'Connor for a Riptide goal!

US 2 | THEM 2 #TurnTheTide #NYvsROC pic.twitter.com/Eul1gwZ6K2

— New York Riptide (@newyorkriptide) April 6, 2024

The second quarter followed the format of the first quarter as Ryan Smith and Ryan Lanchbury scored the first two goals to regain the lead for the Knighthawks. The Riptide had an answer just like the first quarter, scoring two more of their own goals to regain the lead. Jeff Teat scored twice in the third quarter, his third of the game and his 50^th goal on the year. Jeff Teat has now scored 50+ goals in two of his first three seasons in the NLL.

MAKE IT 50 FOR 51! 💥 #TurnTheTide 🌊 | @warriorlax pic.twitter.com/e3FTgp7zGm

— New York Riptide (@newyorkriptide) April 7, 2024

The Riptide came out for the second half on fire and extended their lead with a perfect quarter. The Riptide outscored the Knighthawks 5-0 in the quarter, thanks to lockdown defense and outstanding goalkeeping from Cam Dunkerley. Stephen Keogh dominated the quarter, scoring a hattrick in the quarter, including a highlight reel goal between his legs with his back to the goal.

Keogh with an insane first goal of the 3rd!

US 6 | THEM 4 #TurnTheTide #NYvsROC pic.twitter.com/bhiFTyJHUP

— New York Riptide (@newyorkriptide) April 7, 2024

The intensity and scoring picked up in the fourth as Rochester scored five out of the first six goals of the quarter to make it a two-goal game. Connor Kearnan picked a great time to score the 100th goal of his career and extended the Riptide lead to three goals, which ultimately was too much for the Knighthawks to come back from. Cameron Dunkerley finished the game with 49 saves and the win.

Kearnan leaps for the goal!

US 12 | THEM 9 #TurnTheTide #NYvsROC pic.twitter.com/YY2UxRZwoj

— New York Riptide (@newyorkriptide) April 7, 2024

The Riptide improved to 8-8 on the season and will play their final road game of the season next Saturday against the Vancouver Warriors. This will be the second to last game of the season for the Riptide as one more win could go a long way. The Knighthawks will head on the road to play their final two road games of the season against the Toronto Rock and then the Georgia Swarm. While the top three spots in the playoffs have been clinched, the final games for each team will still be incredibly important for who clinches the remaining five playoff spots.