#24 Brock Boyle keeps his eyes on the ball during the game.
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HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL.March 1, 2008 - For the third consecutive game, the Chicago Shamrox fell into an early hole and could not dig themselves out.

The Rochester Knighthawks handed Chicago its fourth consecutive loss 18-8 at the Sears Centre on Saturday Night in National Lacrosse League action.

“We just have no confidence right now, offensively, defensively, there is no chemistry,” Chris Panos said. “We’re getting out worked at every phase of the game.”

In the game’s first 1:01, Rochester’s Shawn Evans fired a shot from mid field past Shamrox goaltender Brandon Miller. The Knighthawks (4-4) scored the games first four goals all before the game was five minutes old. At the 10:33 mark of the first quarter, Derek Collins came in to relieve Miller.

“We payed a heavy price to get Brandon and we have confidence in him,” Shamrox coach Jamie Batley said. “But I don’t think he has confidence in himself, but the good thing is that Derek Collins is a decent decent goaltender in this league.”

Linsay Plunkett opened the scoring for Chicago (1-6) with 5:42 remaining in the first quarter. He took a Josh Wasson pass and put it past Rochester goaltender Pat O’Toole. Collins did not allow a goal until the Knighthawk’s John Grant found a chink in Collins’ armor at 12:54 in the second quarter.

Grant’s goal was part of a 3-0 run Rochester went on after the Shamrox scored and the Knighthawks padded their lead 7-1. Mike Kirk scored the final goal of the half for Chicago and heading into the break, Rochester led 7-2.

Whatever advantage having a power play yields, it wasn’t successful for the Shamrox in the first half. Not only was Chicago 0-5 in the first half with an extra man, the Knighthawks netted one goal while they were playing short one man.

The Knighthawks scored an avalanche of goals in the third stanza when they equaled their first half input with seven. Shawn Williams led the charge with two goals and three assists and Rochester led 14-4 after three quarters.

Like it has done in the past two games, Chicago had its best offensive output in the fourth quarter. The Shamrox scored three goals in the first three minutes of the final quarter to close to 15-7. But Rochester ended any comeback hopes with back-to-back goals to write the climax and go up 17-7.

A fan shows off his painted face and jersey during the half-time fan parade.
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“(Playing in my first game this year) felt alright, I’ve been working hard trying to get back in game shape,” Cody Jacobs said, who made his 2008 Shamrox debut. “I can help on the offensive end, that’s what I’m here for and the next game I hope I can contribute to a win.”

In two weeks on Friday, March 14, the Shamrox travel to take on the Minnesota Swarm at the Xcel Energy Center before the NLL All-Star game in Edmonton on Sunday March 16. Chicago returns home to the Sears Centre on Saturday, March 29 in a rematch against Minnesota.