Georgia holds off Black Wolves for 17-12 NLL victory

Defending champion Georgia held off a furious comeback by the New England Black Wolves before holding on for a 17-12 National Lacrosse League victory on Saturday night.

The Black Wolves (6-7), who lost for the second time in as many nights, trailed 13-4 in the third quarter but closed within three, 15-12, until the Swam picked up goals by Lyle Thompson and Jesse King (on the power play) in the final 3 minutes, 42 seconds to hold on for the win.

Thompson and Shayne Jackson each finished with three goals and three assists for Georgia (7-7).

Callum Crawford had his best game with New England, finishing with three goals and three assists while collecting his 300th career goal, while Kevin Crowley record his ninth hat trick of the season and 11th multiple-goal game while extending his streak of games with one goal to 32.

Johnny Powless (one goal, one assist), Adam Bomberry (one goal, one assist) and JP Kealey also scored during the Black Wolves' comeback.

Georgia had a whopping 38-15 edge in shots during the first half — it was 20-3 at one point — building a 10-3 lead as eight different Swarm players scored at least one goal.

The game was tied at 1-1 after Crowley scored his 34th goal of the season 5:15 into the first quarter. But 26 seconds later, Georgia began a run of six unanswered goals when Jackson found the back of the net.

During that run of goals, which lasted seven minutes, 40 seconds, stretching into the first minute of the second quarter, Lyle Thompson, Miles Thompson, Staats, King and Bryan Cole all found the back of the net as the Swarm built a 7-1 lead.

New England returns to action next Saturday with a road game at Buffalo.