The fireworks show last night at Sports Authority field flew high with enjoyment last night for Outlaws fans, as Denver defeated the Ohio Machine 17-13.
Although Denver won by four, the game was a lot closer than that. The Outlaws took a commanding 10-1 lead in the second quarter, and all looked grim for the Machine. As the game went on, Ohio fought on. They outscored Denver in the second half 8-7. At times, it looked as though the Machine could take the lead at any moment, only being down by as little as two early in the fourth.
However, when Jeremy Sieverts scored his goal to give the Outlaws a 14-11 lead, Coach Garber got very energized on the sidelines. He knew that it would mean a lot to the team and fans back in Ohio if they beat Denver, one of the best teams in the MLL.
They came close at the end of the fourth when Steele Stanwick scored another EMO goal, bring the score to 15-12, but that was as close as they got. Terry Kimener buried an open net goal from behind the two-point ark to give Denver a 17-12 lead. He was sitting up top, without being harassed, and waited for Stefan Schroder to go out of the cage and be double teamed to shoot the ball. Jim Connolly scored one last time to make the score 17-13, your final for the evening.
Ohio went the entire game without one penalty, while Denver was sent to the box five times. Including two penalties called on a frustrated Brendan Mundorf, who was flagged for slashing and then for unsportsmanlike conduct.
There were many highlights on the night, the biggest was when Denver pulled starting goalie Jesse Schwartzman and put in back up Adam Fullerton. Adam has not played in an MLL contest I over a year because of his Army duties and being deployed in Afghanistan. He made one save and let up on goal on the night.
The other highlight was Dillon Roy, who helped at the faceoff X for Denver, after they lost six in a row. Ohio claimed victor of the faceoff X though, going 21-33. Ray Megill is now only one ground ball away from reaching his 100th career ground ball. Chazz Woodson has continued his point streak against the Denver Outlaws, as he has recorded a point in all of the games he has played against them.
The Outlaws set a new attendance record for the MLL, seating 30,128 fans last night. That’s a great thing for the sport of lacrosse. Denver is becoming a hotbed for lacrosse, with University of Denver, the Outlaws and the Colorado Mammoth all winning games, making it to playoffs and impacting the communities surrounding them.
To see stats from tonight’s game, click here.
Ohio is now 1-7, with playoffs pretty much out of reach and Denver slips into second, for now, with a record of 6-3. The Outlaws are now 2-0 against the Machine overall.
The Machine will battle the Hamilton Nationals next week in Hamilton and look to get their first road win, ever. This will be the first ever meeting for the two teams, and will look to be a battle. Ohio’s defense will need to watch what the Rattlers defense did in order to shut down the high powered National offense. Schroder will need to stand on his head again. July 13 at 7:30 p.m., you can see these two teams battle it out.
Denver will hold host to the other new expansion team next week, taking on the Charlotte Hounds. With the Outlaws looking a little shaky in the second half of the game, they will need to turn on their jets against the Hounds. Collin Briggs and Chris Bocklet will need to connect multiple times again. Along with Brendan Mundorf not staying quiet and not getting frustrated. The Denver defense will need to shut down Stephen Berger and play hard against the rest of the high powered Charlotte offense. Game time is set for 7 p.m. on July 14.
