The Major League Lacrosse regular season could not come to a more exciting conclusion.
On the last game before the playoffs the Denver Outlaws (10-3) will travel to play the Chesapeake (10-3) Bayhawks with the No. 1 seed in the playoffs on the line.
Although Championship Weekend will be at a “neutral†site (the games are being played at Harvard Stadium, home of the Boston Cannons who have a good chance of making the playoffs) the top seed will get to play the earlier semi-final, giving the victor more rest time before the championship game.
Also, the winner of the game will set a franchise record for wins in a season.
Both teams are playing well going into the playoffs. The Bayhawks have won three of their last four games and the Outlaws are the hottest team in the league, winning five in a row and seven of their past eight.
The Denver Outlaws, behind MLL top-10 point scorers Brendan Mundorf, Jeremy Sieverts and Peet Poillon as well as Jordan McBride—who is tied for 11th in the league—have scored the most goals in the league.
The Chesapeake Bayhawks, behind goals against average leader Kip Turner between the pipes, defenders Nicky Polanco, Brian Spallina and Michael Evans and midfielder Matt Abbot have allowed the fewest goals against in the league.
Both teams experienced a lot of turnover on their rosters. The Outlaws have exceeded expectations, the Bayhawks have had high expectations since the offseason.
The last time these two teams met the Bayhawks just slightly edged the Outlaws 18-16 thanks to Kyle Dixon’s seven points (three goals—including two two-pointers—and two assists) and Steven Brooks’ three second half goals, including two in the fourth quarter and the eventual game-winner.
Both teams are in but the No. 1 seed, franchise history, momentum and pride are all on the line when the two teams at the top of the standings meet in the last game of the year.
