(February 23, 2013)… The inaugural Knighthawks Upstate Indoor Lacrosse Championships appropriately featured two teams from Rochester in the first two Finals at The Blue Cross Arena Saturday afternoon. The games followed a similar pattern as the Gold Team defeated the White Team in the 11-12 and 13-14 age groups. The 15-plus Championship also featured a Gold Team win to give them a perfect day at 3-0. (Pictured 11-12 Champs)

The first team to raise the Cup was in the 11 to 12 year old division, as they won the title on the same turf as the defending National Lacrosse League NLL Champion Rochester Knighthawks. Even more thrilling was having Knighthawks star Johnny Powless present the Cup to the Gold Team after its 14-8 victory.

The Gold side was led by Andrew Mapstone, who had four goals and four assists, to finish the tourney with 12 goals and eight assists. The White team battled the entire contest, rallying from 5-0 down to pull with two in the third quarter at 9-7. The Gold claimed the Championship by netting five of the game’s last six goals.

In the middle Championship, the Gold squad again was victories earning a 12-4 decision over the White Team. Joe O’Hara led the winning team in tournament scoring with 12 goals and 11 assists.In the middle Championship, the Gold squad again were victories earning a 12-4 decision over the White Team.

In the nightcap, the Gold team from Syracuse completed the sweep with a 9-4 victory over their White counterparts from Rochester in the 15-plus age group.In the nightcap, the Gold team completed the sweep with a 9-4 victory over their White counterparts in the 15-plus age group.

The two-day tournament kicked off Friday at the Rochester Sports Garden. Teams from Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse are competing for the Champion’s Cup. Later this evening, kids from all 13 tournament teams will watch the Knighthawks host the Philadelphia Wings at 7:30 p.m.

The Knighthawks Upstate Indoor Lacrosse Championships were made possible through a partnership between the Knighthawks and Upstate Indoor Lacrosse. The goal is to help create the next generation of professional lacrosse players. Upstate Indoor Lacrosse has 467 kids and draws players from Monroe, Wayne, Wyoming, Cayuga, Seneca, Onondaga and Erie counties. Kids from 8 years old to seniors in high school participate in a 12-week league at the Rochester Sports Garden. In the past few weeks, the teams have received instruction from Knighthawks players Joe Walters and Tyler Burton.

For further questions about Upstate Indoor Lacrosse, please contact Regional Director Kevin McMaster at (585) 737-5100 or via email kmcmaster@upstateindoorlacrosse.com.