If there is ever going to be a true David vs. Goliath matchup, it will be taking place at PPL park in Chester, Pennsylvania on Saturday at 1 P.M.
One team ran the table and finished the 2013 season with Major League Lacrosse’s first undefeated season. The other team barely squeaked into the playoffs with a 7-7 record. One team has made the playoffs in eight straight seasons while the other is appearing in the playoffs for the first time in their team’s history. Despite the differences in 2013 between Denver and Charlotte, the Hounds believe that they can knock off the Outlaws and advance to the MLL championship game.
The Hounds played around .500 lacrosse all season, which would lead a fan to ask how they believe that could knock off undefeated Denver, but found themselves riding momentum into their game against Denver by playing for their playoff lives at the end of the season and winning three out of their last four games to clinch the fourth and final spot in championship weekend.
The first of two matchups between Charlotte and Denver during the 2013 regular season took place in week one, and Denver was clearly the better team, winning 21-16. Hounds Attackman and team captain Matt Danowski started his quest to break his team record for total points in a season by scoring five goals and dishing out one assist for a total of six points to start the season on a strong note.
While the outcome was not any different for the Hounds in their second meeting with Denver during week nine (a 17-11 loss), Charlotte used the addition of numerous rookies to boost their play and looked extremely improved since their early week one matchup with Denver. Newcomer Mike Sawyer wasted no time helping his new team, netting three goals while trying to do his part to keep the game close.
In order to knock off the top team in the league and advance to the championship game, Charlotte is going to need to play as close to a perfect game as possible. Penalties plagued the Hounds during their second meeting with Denver, allowing the Outlaws eight man-up opportunities. The Hounds know that their defense is going to have to be on their game due to Denver’s high octane offense as well.
“It starts in the goal with Jesse Schwartzman and the fact that they play tremendous team defense.” Hounds coach Mike Cerino said about Denver. “They are also a deadly team in transition and you have to pick your poison with whom to stop on offense.”
The first of two semi-finals on Saturday will send one team to the championship game and will send one team home. Charlotte knows that each facet of the team has to play at their highest level to move shut down Denver and move on to the championship game. The semi-final begins at 1 P.M. and will be broadcast on ESPN2.
