BUFFALO, N.Y. (NLL.com) - The Philadelphia Wings turned in an impressive performance Friday night in Buffalo, topping the previously unbeaten Bandits 13-10 at the First Niagara Center.
With the win, the Wings (2-1) are tied with Buffalo (2-1) atop the East Division.
The first half was remarkably close. The Bandits scored first and the teams alternated goals from there until it was 6-6 late into the second quarter.
At that point, Drew Westervelt scored on a great feed from Brendan Mundorf, giving Philadelphia its first lead. The Bandits' Tom Montour answered right back to tie it at 7-7 going into halftime.
The Wings used their size and athleticism early and often, at times pushing a quicker Bandits team around.
The third quarter was a defensive struggle. Luke Wiles and Mark Steenhuis scored the only goals of the frame, to put the Bandits up 9-7.
The Wings fought back in the fourth. Dan Dawson, who finished with seven assists, scored his only goal of the game midway through to tie the score at 10. Westervelt and Mundorf then scored before Brodie Merrill's tally sealed it.
Westervelt (four goals) and Mundorf (three goals, four assists) have been perhaps the biggest beneficiaries of Philadelphia's additions in the offseason.
Mundorf, in his second year with the Wings, looks to be emerging as an elite threat while Westervelt has scored at least three goals in each game this season.
Chad Culp, John Tavares, Wiles and Steenhuis each had two goals for the Bandits.
Buffalo heads to the Xcel Energy Center this Saturday to take on the Minnesota Swarm starting at 8 p.m. ET.
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