Wings hold on for 16-12 win over Thunder

PHILADELPHIA -- Baltimore native John Tucker scored four goals and had four assists, pacing the Philadelphia Wings to a 16-12 victory over the Baltimore Thunder before 13,814 at the Spectrum last night.

"We played well against some teams and not against some others," said Tucker, lacrosse coach at Gilman School. "We played well against the Thunder because we know them better than some teams."

Philadelphia began to pull away from the Thunder with six second-quarter goals, three from Tucker. Baltimore chipped away at the lead and pulled within two with a little more than nine minutes remaining in regulation.

Ten penalties hurt the Thunder, the final blow a five-minute face-mask call on Vince Angotti with 9 minutes, 32 seconds left and his team trailing, 14-11.

"That took away the momentum we had gained," said Thunder goalie Tom Manos.

Captain Jeff Jackson pulled the Thunder within two with a goal with 9:13 left, but the Thunder would get no closer. Philadelphia dominated the ground balls and controlled the ball, and won 22 of 34 faceoffs.