BE’ER SHEVA, ISRAEL — The defending champions are off to a 2-0 start after another thrilling win, topping Ashkelon in overtime, 14-13. Earlier in the night, the expansion Sderot club earned their first-ever win, rallying past Kiryat Gat, 11-6.
Be’er Sheva jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead over Ashkelon, before Bryan Rotarori finally put the “Fighting Aleph’s” on the board at 12:04. Ashkelon trimmed the deficit to 8-4 at halftime and 10-7 after three quarters. With just over three minutes remaining, and trailing 13-10, Ashkelon scored three straight goals to force overtime. However, Daniel Leventhal scored the game-winner for Be’er Sheva in overtime to squash the comeback.
Leventhal scored four goals, while Lane Kadish added three for Be’er Sheva (2-0). Aaron Rubenstein chipped in one goal and four assists; Marc Skolnick added one goal and three assists. Payton Fales (60:00, 10 saves, 13 GA) earned the win in goal.
Rotarori led the charge with five goals for Ashkelon (1-1).
Earlier in the night, Sderot went on a six-goal run in a dominant second quarter to rally past Kiryat Gat, 11-6.
The game was tied 2-2 at the end of the first quarter before Albany product Eric Cantor kicked off the run. Kiryat Gat answered back with two goals in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 8-4, but Sderot was able to hold off a rally and secured their first-ever victory.
Max Kaufman led the Sderot (1-1) with three goals and one assist, while Max Satossky and Jacob Silberlicht each chipped in two goals and two assists. Max Yavitt (60:00, 8 saves, 6 GA) earned the win in goal.
Ian Mills led Kiryat Gat (0-2) with three goals.