Rochester, N.Y. — The Rochester Knighthawks scored seven unanswered goals to wipe out an early two-goal deficit en route to a 15-8 victory over the New England Black Wolves on Saturday at Blue Cross Arena, spoiling the Black Wolves' 2017 National Lacrosse League debut.

Trailing 5-3, Rochester (1-1) scored with 40 seconds left in the first half, then scored the first six goals of the second half to build a 10-5 lead early in the fourth quarter.

Goals by Reilly O'Connor and Kevin Crowley just 27 seconds apart pulled New England within 10-7 with 8:48 remaining, but Josh Currier scored a power play goal 18 seconds later and the Black Wolves never recovered.

Currier (three goals, two assists) and Stephen Keogh (three goals, three assists) each had hat tricks for Rochester while Kyle Jackson had nine assists and two goals.

Pat Saunders, who set career bests with 44 goals, 32 assists, 76 points and 15 multiple-goal games in 2016 for New England, had two goals and an assist. Crowley (one goal, three assists) and Shawn Evans (one goal, two assists) also contributed offensively while goalie Evan Kirk made 45 saves.

New England led 2-0, 4-2 and 5-3, but the game began turning in Rochester's favor when former Black Wolves' draft pick Quinn Powless scored with 40 seconds left in the half to pull the Knighthawks within 5-4 at intermission.

The game got away from New England in the third quarter as goals from Jackson (5:44 into the quarter), Wayne Van Every (7:38), Dan Lomas (10:28) and Scott Campbell (13:35) gave Rochester an 8-5 lead.

New England remains on the road next Saturday with a game at Colorado at 9 p.m.