There appears to be nothing about the Denver Outlaws that typically is associated with an expansion team. Certainly Major League Lacrosse will take notice after Saturday night’s 24-14 domination of the MLL defending champion Baltimore Bayhawks.
After falling behind 3-0, 4-1 and 6-2, the Outlaws (3-0) thrilled the crowd of 10,157 at Invesco Field at Mile High, the second-largest crowd in MLL regular-season history with an array of high-speed perimeter shots and slick passes near the net to set up uncontested shots.
“We’re off to a great start,” said Josh Sims, one of five Outlaws players who helped Baltimore win the MLL title last August. “It’s nice to go in with a clean slate, with no expectations.”
Following victories over two other expansion teams, Denver became the first expansion team to defeat one of the original MLL teams.
Once coach Jarred Testa made a defensive adjustment with one of his midfielders and his players started winning the groundball battle, momentum turned.
“Baltimore was playing MLL speed and it took us a while to adjust,” Testa said.
Mike Law, a local product from Regis High and the University of Denver, produced nine points, including two two-point goals. Jeff Sonke and Benson Erwin also scored from beyond the 15-yard arc to give the Outlaws the third-highest two-point goal total in league history.
“That’s hard work and God-given ability,” Testa said.
Denver, which had a 16-10 lead going into the fourth quarter, outscored Baltimore 8-4 to its final-quarter dominance to 17-7 this season.
In his home debut, 2005 DU graduate Matt Brown scored four goals and had an assist.
“It’s a great feeling to play here in front of this crowd,” Brown said. “It was awesome. In the lacrosse world, it can’t get any better.”
Brown continually was fed in the slot by Sims.
“He cuts really well and he’s a great finisher,” said Sims, who missed last week’s victory over San Francisco because his wife, Meghan, was due to give birth. She delivered a baby girl, Madeline, on Wednesday, allowing Sims to play against his former teammates.
The Bayhawks (1-2) briefly regrouped, scoring three goals to draw to within 13-10, but the Outlaws responded with Sims setting up Brown and Erwin netting his first goal as an Outlaw.
Footnotes
Geoff Snider, the Outlaws’ top pick, 17th overall, did not dress due to an ankle injury…. The Bayhawks’ roster includes former Denver East standout Christian Cook.
Baltimore 4 3 3 4 – 14
Denver 2 7 7 8 – 24
Baltimore – Marechek 4-0-4 (goals-assists-points); Collins 1-2-3; Mollott 1-1-2; Goldman 2-0-2; Healy 3-0-3; McGlone 1-0-1; Millon 0-2-2; Frye 0-1-1; Redd 1-0-2. 2-point goals – Redd.
Denver – Law 4-3-9; Brown 4-1-5; Langtry 2-3-5; Sonke 3-0-4; Hanna 2-2-4; Mundorf 3-0-3; Sims 0-3-3; Erwin 1-0-2; Lochte 1-0-1. 2-point goals – Law (2); Sonke; Erwin.
A – 10,157.
