On Saturday August 23 in front of 8,149 lacrosse fans, the Denver Outlaws (10-4) would face the Rochester Rattlers (11-3) in Kennesaw, Georgia on the Kennesaw State University Campus. It was clear that the Outlaws had the most fans at the stadium by the number of people cheering them on. This game was much anticipated as all eyes were on the Outlaws to see if they could for the first time in franchise history bring home the Steinfeld Cup. In each of the teams nine years as a franchise, they have made it to the semi-finals and five of those years to the Championship game. This time, the Denver Outlaws would bring home the championship by the score of 12-11.
Only 19 seconds into the game, Chris Bocklet of the Outlaws would put the team’s only goal on the board. Rochester would go on a five-goal scoring streak and see goals from Michael Lazore, Miles Thompson, John Ranagan, Mark Lockerton, and Dave Lawson. Fans watching the game were wondering if the Outlaws were going to be able to figure out what needed to be done to keep the score from getting out of control. At the end of the first, Rochester would lead 5-1.
Heading into the second quarter with only 1:38 off the clock, Outlaws Domenic Sebastiani would get a feed from Justin Pennington; followed by Bocklet (C ) getting his second of the game to bring Denver within two. Rochester would see another point when Ranagan would also get his second of the game. The final goal of the half would come from Denver’s John Grant Jr. The Outlaws had pulled within two yet again. Going into half-time Rochester would still hold the lead 6-4.
It was obvious on the side-lines that Denver was frustrated. They had made it to the Championship game again but couldn’t seem to get into a groove, and the Rattlers were not going to make it easy for them. Rochester would score when Justin Turri would hit net at 2:47; and Ranagan would get the hat-trick. Eric Law of the Outlaws would score, but Denver would see Rochester’s lead grow again when Jordan Wolf would score. Jeremy Sieverts of the Outlaws would bring the Outlaws within three; and less than a minute later Rattlers Dave Lawson would score giving him two on the night. The Outlaws were clearly baffled, and Rochester was seeing a Championship ring. Score at the end of the third, Rochester up 10-6.
The fourth quarter, fans would see the Outlaws squad that they had become accustomed to. They would score three unanswered goals, Grant Jr. would get the hat-trick; and Law would follow up with another bring them to within one. But it took less than sixty seconds for Rochester put the gap back at two and give themselves some breathing room. Lawson would hit twine giving him the hat-trick. It would be almost four minutes before there would be another goal, and a spectacular one at that. Sieverts who is number one in the league in two-point goals wound up and let one rip to blow it by a stunned John Galloway. The game was tied with six minutes remaining. Both teams started playing more aggressive ball, they each wanted the next goal to go ahead, but it would be Denver’s Drew Snider who would get the game winning goal with only 56 seconds remaining in regulation. The Outlaws players and bench were going wild. The fans were screaming. All the Outlaws needed to do was win that final faceoff, control the ball, and they would become the MLL Champions and Anthony Kelly did just that, but the Outlaws would turn the ball over with less than 40 seconds on the clock. They needed to regain possession to keep Rochester from tying the game and they did just that. As the clock wound down, the fans were cheering and when the buzzer hit zero the Outlaws players began jumping up and down, throwing gloves, elbow pad, sticks and helmets. It was absolutely amazing the energy that filled the air. Denver would win in spectacular fashion giving lacrosse fans everywhere the game of a lifetime. Denver Outlaws MLL Champions by the score of 12-11.
Game Stats
Denver Outlaws—11 G, one 2ptG, 4 A, 22 S, 17 SOFF, 24 GB, 14-26 FOW, .538 FOPCT, 20 SOG, 9 Saves, 11 GA, .450 SV%
Rochester Rattlers—11 G, 3 A, 20 S, 14 SOFF, 27 GB, 12-26 FOW, .461 FOPCT, 22 SOG, 11 Saves, 11 GA, one 2ptGA, .545 SV%
John Grant Jr. was named the Championship MVP for the second year in a row and the only player in MLL history to do so.
Outlaws Head Coach B.J. O’Hara would become the first coast in MLL history to win two championships with two different teams.
This game was an exhilarating end to an amazing season of Major League Lacrosse. The attendance at the game shows the fan base is out there as well; by playing the game at a neutral site; and the high attendance, it shows that lacrosse is becoming a more popular sport to watch.
Congratulations to the Denver Outlaws players, coaches and staff to your first ever MLL Championship and bringing the Steinfeld Cup home to Denver, Colorado.
