Attackman Drew Westervelt fired in four goals on Saturday night, but it wasn’t enough as the Chesapeake Bayhawks could not hold an early lead and fell to the unbeaten Denver Outlaws, 14-12, at Sports Authority Field in the Mile High City.
The Bayhawks are now 7-5 on the season but still sit in third place in the MLL standings and second in the MLL computer ratings. With two games left in the season, one against the Rattlers and the following against the Hounds, it looks pretty clear that the Bayhawks will return to the playoffs for another season. The Bayhawks have to win just one of their remaining two games to make the playoffs.
Coach Dave Cottle had some strong words about his team’s game on Saturday night; “As a group, we turned the ball over way too much. We gave up way too many unsettled and transition goals. We did a great job of holding their starting attack without a goal, but gave up some goals to short sticks and the face-off man,” said Cottle.
If the Bayhawks wish to compete in the playoffs rather than just be in them, they need play stronger defense and be more efficient on offense. That is cliché to say, but true. They won the Cup last season and are very capable of bringing it back to Annapolis for a consecutive season.
“We have to win another game to get into the playoffs. I’m not worried about momentum or seeding right now. We just need to get the next one,” Cottle said.
The Bayhawks return home on Saturday, August 3rd against the Rochester Rattlers at 7:00 PM at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
