The Bayhawks out-shot the Outlaws 54-35 but were dominated by Denver goalie Jesse Schwartzman who made 28 saves for the Outlaws (7-1). “Jesse Schwartzman was the best player on the field tonight,” Bayhawks coach Dave Cottle said. “It was not only all the saves he made, but the fact he forced us to shoot for corners and we hit a couple pipes.”
Chesapeake midfielders Peet Poillon and Joe Walters totaled a goal and an assist apiece for the Chesapeake Bayhawks in a tough 9-6 loss to the Denver Outlaws at Sports Authority Field. Trailing by five goals at halftime, the Bayhawks outscored the Outlaws 5-1 over the opening 21 minutes of the second half to pull within one, but could not complete the comeback.
“I thought we competed our tails off. We hustled from beginning to end. Our guys played with great character, great energy and great intensity,” Head Coach Dave Cottle said. “I was really, really proud of our team. We fought and battled like crazy.”
Chesapeake (2-6) came into the contest missing five starters due to injuries and suffered another tough loss in the first half when goalkeeper Kip Turner sustained a broken thumb. Turner, a starter on the Bayhawks’ back-to-back championship clubs, showed a lot of heart by playing the final 12 minutes of the second quarter in severe pain and finished with seven saves.
Denver (7-1) raced out to a 5-0 lead as Anthony Kelly dominated the face-offs and midfielder Justin Pennington scored two goals. Chesapeake was held scoreless for the opening 25 minutes before rookie attackman Brandon Benn finally put the visitors on the board with a rebound goal. Benn snatched a carom off Schwartzman’s stick out of midair and quickly side-armed a short shot into the net.
With a 6-1 lead at halftime, the Outlaws were riding high. To open the second half the Bayhawks went on a 5-1 run and cut the Denver lead to 7-6. Unfortunately, Chesapeake would not score again and a rare 2-point goal by long stick midfielder Michael Simon gave Denver a 9-6 lead with 6:15 to go. The Bayhawks had chances to get closer, but were repeatedly stymied by Schwartzman.
The Bayhawks return home on Thursday, July 17th, against the Rochester Rattlers at 7:00 PM at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
