Photo Credit: Di Miller
The Denver Outlaws (7-1) hosted the Chesapeake Bayhawks (2-6) at Sports Authority Field at Mile-High on June 21 in front of 6,008 die-hard fans for Paws in the Park Night. It was also “Outlaw Cancer” night. The players wore custom made helmets with pink cancer ribbons, and played in honor of family members and friends who have survived cancer or lost their battle to this awful disease. The skies were sunny, the temperature was around 80 degrees, and the fans were treated to some great lacrosse. Final score: Outlaws over Chesapeake 9-6.
The game started out slow, with Denver getting on the scoreboard first when John Grant Jr., #24 Attack would hit net at 6:52. Another five minutes would go by before Justin Pennington, #14 Midfield would score with an assist going to Midfielder Jeremy Noble #35. Only nine seconds later, Curtis Dickson #17, Attack would put another point on the board, assist going to faceoff specialist Anthony Kelly #44. Pennington would put the ball in net again with only 53 seconds remaining in the first quarter. The Bayhawks would be held scoreless in the first. Outlaws up 4-0.
The second quarter would start out just as slow. Eric Law, #15 Attack would be the first to score for the Outlaws at 7:40. Less than three minutes later, Chesapeake would get their first goal of the game when Brandon Benn, #92 Attack would score with an assist going to former Denver Outlaws player Peet Poillon, #57 Midfield. The final goal of the half would come from Drew Snider, #23 Midfielder at 12:23. The first half would end with the Outlaws still up 6-1.
Heading into the third, Chesapeake would score first at 4:56 when Benjamin Hunt, #18 Midfield hit twine. It took almost four minutes before the ball would hit net again. Matt Mackrides #39, Attack would give the Bayhawks their third goal of the game. The only other goal of the quarter would go to Law, who hit net at 9:53. Score at the end of the third Outlaws 7, Chesapeake 3.
The Bayhawks came out of the gate quickly in the fourth, when only 38 seconds into the quarter, Joseph Walters, #1 Midfield would put another point on the board. Poillon would score again, and the final goal for the Bayhawks would come from Benjamin Rubeor #6, assisted by Walters. The final goal, and highlight of the game came from Denver Outlaws Michael “Tree” Simon #66, Midfield and first time MLL All-Star who would get the ball on a break-away and score his first-ever two-point goal at 8:45, putting the final nail in the coffin for the Bayhawks, and giving the Outlaws some breathing room. Final score Outlaws over the Bayhawks by the score 9-6.
The Outlaws seventh round collegiate draft pick Terry Ellis #12, Midfielder from the University of Denver made his debut tonight against the Bayhawks. He played well, his defense, and stick skills were extremely strong, showing that Denver made a great decision acquiring him in the draft; Lee Zink #29, Defense also had a momentous night playing in his 125th career MLL game; Jesse Schwartzman #19, Goalie had a new season-high in saves with 28; Eric Law #15, Attack is third in the league with 22 G, 11 A, and leads the league in SPCT at .524; and Denver’s defense held three of the four leading scorers on the Bayhawks—Benn, Hunt, and Mackrides—to only one goal each.
MLL Standings as of June 21, 2014
Outlaws 7-1, .875 WPCT, 99 GF, 81 GA, 6 2ptGF, 4 2ptGA
Bayhawks 2-6, .250 WPCT, 77 GF, 96 GA, 3 2ptGF, 4 2ptGA
Game Stats
Outlaws 24 SOG, 11 SOFF, 30 GB, 6-18 FO
Bayhawks 34 SOG, 20 SOFF, 33 GB, 12-18 FO
Special Teams Stats as of June 21, 2o14
Outlaws Power Play Attempts—7 PPGF, 15 PPA, 46.67 PPPCT; Penalty Kills—6 PPGA, 25 TSH, 76.00 PKPCT
Bayhawks Power Play Attempts—11 PPGF, 35 PPA, 31.43 PPPCT; Penalty Kills—19 PPGA, 37 TSH, 48.65 PKPCT, 1 SHGF
Goalie Match-ups
Outlaws—Jesse Schwartzman 34 SOG, 28 Saves, 6 GA
Bayhawks—Kip Turner (30 minutes) 13 SOG, 7 Saves, 6 GA
Bayhawks—Tyler Fiorito (30 minutes) 11 SOG, 9 Saves, 2 GA (one 2 point goal)
MVP of the Game goes to Michael “Tree” Simon for his first-ever two-point goal putting the Outlaws up in the last half of the fourth quarter.
On Sunday June 29, the Denver Outlaws (7-1) head to Rochester, New York to play the second place Rochester Rattlers (5-3) at Sahlen’s Stadium. The last time the two teams faced off was in Denver on May 17 when Denver beat the Rattlers by the score of 14-8. Rochester wants revenge, and Denver is looking to increase their lead in the MLL. Who will win the battle? I’m going with Denver. They keep finding ways to win; the chemistry and talent is there; and the Outlaws want to prove it not only to themselves, but their fans that they can bring home the Steinfeld Trophy this year.
