The Toronto Rock defeated the San Diego Seals 14-12 in Game 1 of the NLL semifinal Friday night at TD Coliseum in Hamilton, taking a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series. Mark Matthews was named the game’s first star after scoring the go-ahead goal with 1:33 remaining, and Challen Rogers added an insurance goal 25 seconds later as Toronto outscored San Diego 5-3 in the fourth quarter to close out the victory.

Toronto goalie Nick Rose made 44 saves, stopping 44 of 56 shots as San Diego outshot Toronto 56-46. San Diego goalies Cameron Dunkerley and Christopher Origlieri combined in net during a Seals rally that tied the game 6-6 at halftime and 9-9 after three periods. Origlieri left late in the second quarter after a high hit and was replaced by Dunkerley.

Toronto killed most of a five-minute major assessed to defender Josh Jackson and scored a shorthanded goal during that span. Sam English finished with three goals and two assists, Challen Rogers had three goals and two assists, Mark Matthews had three goals and one assist, Owen Hiltz had two goals and one assist, and Chris Boushy had two goals and one assist for the Rock. San Diego’s Tre Leclaire recorded three goals and four assists and Ben McIntosh had three goals and one assist. The series shifts to San Diego for Game 2 on Sunday at 6 p.m. ET. A deciding Game 3, if necessary, is scheduled for Saturday, May 9 at TD Coliseum in Hamilton.