National Lacrosse League

The Albany Attack held off a late three-goal rally to nip the Ottawa Rebel 18-17 Saturday afternoon at Pepsi Arena.

Gary Rosyski's fourth goal of the game, nine minutes into the fourth quarter, turned out to be the game-winner. The Rebel, playing their first game under new head coach Lindsay Sanderson, mounted a furious rally through the final five minutes and pulled within one on unanswered tallies by Andrew Guindan at 10:45, Rory Graham at 11:21 and Mike Benedict at 11:52.

Josh Sanderson, who matched Rosyski's four goals and three assists for the game, scored twice in the first quarter to help the Attack to a 5-4 lead at the intermission. The Rebel pulled ahead in the second with goals by Kyle Laverty, Jamie Roy and Dan Marohl, plus 13 saves by goalie Matt Disher, and put the Attack in a 12-7 hole with five tallies in the first 4:41 of the third.

The momentum soon shifted, however, and Albany finished the third stanza up by a goal at 15-14. Rosyski started the comeback at 5:41. He, Dan Teat and Sanderson all scored twice during the period.

Ryan Painter and Steve Evans paced the scrappy Rebel offense with hat tricks. Evans also recorded four assists. Benedict finished with two goals and three assists.

Netminder Brandon Miller, who relieved starter Rob Blasdell at 3:37 of the third quarter, made ten saves to post the win. Disher, who just returned after a knee injury, stopped 55 through 47:42. Andrew Leyshon recorded 13 saves during the closing minutes.