The Denver Outlaws opened up their season against the Florida Launch at Florida Atlantic University Saturday April 26. Florida finally has their first MLL team, and the game was a milestone for both teams. Denver wanted their 21st consecutive regular season win, and Florida wanted to win their first ever franchise home-opener. The Outlaws dominated the Launch in the first half, and Florida gave Denver a run for their money in the second half. The difference between the first and second half was like night and day, but the Outlaws were able to hold on to win 14-10.
The game started out with Drew Snider, #23 Midfielder for the Outlaws, and the 2013 Most Improved Player of the Year scoring first. This very well could have been the first goal scored in the 2014 season. Goals would be scored by three other Outlaws players in the first quarter. Chris Bocklet #10, Attack, would score second; followed by Eric Law, #15, Attack, who would score twice; and Jeremy Sieverts, #20, Midfielder who would score a PPG. At the end of the first quarter, the Outlaws would lead the Launch by the score 5-0.
Florida was not in synch on the field during the first 15 minutes of play. Although Brett Queener was amazing in goal, the Launch were doing a lot of ball watching; and there was very little ball movement. While the Outlaws were moving the ball quickly; only holding the ball for one or two seconds; making good passes; and their close defense was on the mark.
Heading into the second quarter, Denver would put another goal on the board. Snider scored a PPG after the Launch were called for a push with possession. The Launch would score their historic first franchise goal at 10:37 of the game. Josh Amidon #15, Midfield would hit net, assist to Casey Powell #22, Attack. But the Outlaws would soon strike back scoring four unanswered goals (one two-point goal) before the half—Bocklet (Chris); Michael Simon #66, Defense; Sam Snow #3, Midfield; and Sieverts with a two-point goal with less than a minute in the half, all put points on the board. The score was 11-1 at the end of the first half.
Queener would suffer an injury with less than four minutes in the first half. Anthony Kelly #47, FOGO for the Outlaws would shoot on Queener who took the shot off his right forearm. He went down in obvious pain, but stayed in the game until the end of the half. He would not return for the second half, and was seen donning a sling on his right arm later in the game. His status is unknown.
With the score so lopsided, it was apparent that the Launch needed to change their game plan in a big way. They needed to improve on ball movement; their slide package; at X with ground-balls; controlling the faceoffs; and the overall team defense needed to tighten up. When the two teams returned to the field for the start of the third quarter, the Launch were on a mission. Shut down the Outlaws, and put points on the board.
Launch back-up goalie Adam Fullerton #4, replaced Queener in net. Fullerton, a former Denver Outlaw was stellar, and held the Outlaws to no goals in the third. On the other hand, the Launch did exactly what they needed to: put points up. Amidon started the scoring frenzy by putting a two-point goal high-to-low and hitting net. He would have the first three points of the game for the Launch. Florida would put four more points on the board during the third quarter. Powell would score his first goal of the game; followed by Andrew Scalley #7, Attack; Grant Kaleikau #30, Attack; and Kevin Cunningham #29, Attack.
The Outlaws were scoreless in the third, while Florida really picked it up. They clamped down on the crease; were more aggressive on defense; interior defense stepped up; they pushed the Denver shooters to the outside; and were creating bad angles for shots on net. At the end of the third quarter, the score was 11-7 still in favor of the Denver.
Going into the fourth quarter, Powell would score, and the Launch would get their first man-up opportunity when Domenic Sebastiani #45, Midfield would be called for holding on Powell. Scalley would take advantage putting the ball in net, bringing the score to 11-9. Outlaws goalie Jesse Schwartzman drew a one-minute penalty. At that point in the game, it was obvious the frustration by the Denver goaltender. But the Outlaws would not be stopped, and went on a three goal run, with Law; Justin Pennington #14, Midfield; and Bocklet (Chris) all scoring. The final goal of the game would go to the Powell. The game would end with the score 14-10 in favor of the Outlaws.
Chris Bocklet would be named the Coke Player of the Game with five goals.
The Denver Outlaws open their season at home at Sports Authority Field against the Ohio Machine on Sunday May 4 for Star Wars night. Both teams will be donning Star Wars themed jerseys. Denver jerseys will represent the Rebel Alliance with orange X-Wing Pilot jerseys, and Ohio will represent the Imperial Storm Troopers with white jerseys. This will be the first Star Wars game in Major League Lacrosse history.
