By Travis Larner -- The Rochester Knighthawks edged Washington Stealth 7-6 Saturday night at The Blue Cross Arena on Tony Stewart Night. The three-time NASCAR Champ, who was attending his first National Lacrosse League game, witnessed the Knighthawks’ first victory of the season.

The Knighthawks (1-3) avenged their season-opening 13-12 loss to the Stealth (3-3) on January 5th. Rochester never trailed, although the game was tied at two in the second quarter and six in the fourth.

“Wins like that sometimes bring you even closer (as a team) than a blowout, to know that you can grind out a win like that,” Dan Dawson said.

“It feels like it was a long time coming,” added Matt Vinc. “It feels really good to win defensively today. Our offense put up enough goals a couple of times this year, and we didn’t execute defensively and give them a win.”

Defenseman Brad Self gave the Knighthawks a 1-0 lead 6:18 into the opening quarter. He was on the receiving end of a full-court pass from Vinc before breaking the seal on Tyler Richards. Self has now scored a breakaway goal in all four games this season. Saturday’s goal was his second short-handed goal of the season.

Cody Jamieson scored both of Rochester’s power play goals. He closed the second quarter with his first, with the latter coming only 31 seconds into the fourth quarter. Jamieson is tied with Cory Vitarelli for the team lead with seven goals on the season.

Tied at 6-6 with 9:48 remaining in regulation, Johnny Powless netted the game-winning goal for the Knighthawks. He has now scored at least one goal in a team-best nine consecutive games.

Rochester’s seven goals scored set a new franchise record for fewest goals scored in a win. The previous record was in an 8-7 win over the Stealth in San Jose on April 8, 2005. The seven goals also tie the National Lacrosse League’s record for fewest goals in a win.

The evening was monumental, as Vinc surpassed two career milestones. He has now played over 5,500 minutes and made over 3,500 saves. Against Washington, he made 42 saves on 48 shots for a .875 save percentage.

“He’s obviously one of the best in the league for a reason,” said defenseman Paul Dawson. “Tonight, when stuff got broken down, he was there to make the save. It just gives us a little more confidence to even press out a little further and not play tense and play a little looser. ‘Vno’ deserves full credit for the win tonight.”

The following Knighthawks are nearing career milestones:
• Matt Vinc is one win shy of 50;
• Brad Self is goal away from 50;
• Craig Point is one point away from his 150th as a Knighthawk;
• Casey Powell is three assists shy of 350;
• Dan Dawson is three goals away from 350.

The Knighthawks hit the road for their first back-to-back weekend of the season on Friday, February 8th and Saturday, February 9th.

Rochester visits Philadelphia for an 11:00 a.m. ET game on Friday, and ends the road trip with a 7:30 p.m. contest in Buffalo against the Bandits the following night. Both games will be broadcast on Sportsradio 950 ESPN and online at www.sportsradio950espn.com. The games will be also carried live on YouTube via The Lacrosse Network.

“We’ve got a short week,” Dawson said. “Monday, we’re going to hit up a big workout and Tuesday we are going to practice. We’re going to ride this (victory) on out and keep believing in the chemistry we have.”