Upon first glance at last Saturday’s Denver Outlaws-Los Angeles score, some Outlaws fans might have figured there was a typographical error, a missing numeral in front of the five.
But there’s no mistaking the most lopsided loss in Denver’s two-year history.
The Outlaws were pounded 17-5 in a contest coach/general manager Brian Reese dubbed the biggest game of the year.
An offense that scored 26 goals in the highest-scoring game in Major League Lacrosse history, a 27-26 loss to Rochester on June 16, now owns the dubious distinction of tying the league’s lowest-scoring total.
“It was shocking and frustrating,” Reese said. “It was like we couldn’t do anything right, no matter what we did.”
At 4-4 with four games left, the defending Western Conference champion Outlaws are in danger of failing to clinch a playoff berth.
In response to what he termed a “disappointing sense of urgency,” Reese is opening all positions for Saturday’s game against defending MLL champ Philadelphia at Invesco Field at Mile High. The Outlaws fell to the Barrage 23-12 in last year’s championship game.
Performance at tonight’s practice and Saturday’s warm-up sessions will determine who dresses out and who gets regular minutes at attack and defense, as well as extra time in midfield.
“We are still fighting for a playoff spot, so we are looking for guys who bring their ‘A’ game every game,” Reese said. “I don’t care who they are, what names are on their jerseys. We’ll put the most competitive team on the field.”
Against L.A., the Outlaws lacked intensity from the opening faceoff and fell behind 7-1.
A three-goal second quarter left Denver trailing 10-4 at halftime, but the Riptide outscored the visitors 4-0 in the third quarter.
The team’s goal-scoring leaders, attackmen Brendan Mundorf and Matt Brown, were held scoreless, vigorously guarded by Riptide defenders.
Riptide goalkeeper Mickey Jarboe made 25 saves.
“He played great, but we didn’t take very good shots,” Reese said. “We let him see it and save it. We didn’t work the ball around.”
Denver’s ball-carrying midfielders tried roll dodges and face dodges, but were unable to get around defenders to burst toward the net.
“Everything starts with a good hard dodge and we couldn’t get that first step,” said Reese, noting that he needs more than three goals combined from Law and fellow midfielders Jeff Sonke and Brian Langtry.
Law is hopeful he and his midfield mates will regain their verve against Philadelphia (6-2).
“We play our best when our middies come out running and dodge well and score early,” he said. “So we really need to come out hard.”
The Barrage, led by Ryan Boyle’s 19 goals and 21 assists, is a half-game behind Rochester in the the Eastern Conference.
Reese said goaltender Trevor Tierney played well against L.A. in his first appearance since suffering a concussion June 16. Tierney took over for rookie Jesse Schwartzman, who allowed six goals in 15 minutes, 45 seconds. Schwartzman was victimized by unsettled situations, such as 5-on-4s and 4-on-3s.
Clinic for kids
Outlaws players and coaches will work with children Sunday from 10 a.m. to noon at Invesco Field. The event includes a skills showcase, obstacle course, pass- and-catch, and autograph session. Registration is available Sunday at 9:30 a.m. at the north tunnel of the stadium or at beforehand.
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MLL
WESTERN CONFERENCE
W L GB GF GA
Los Angeles 6 2 – 132 103
Denver 4 4 2 142 135
Chicago 2 6 4 115 153
San Francisco 2 6 4 110 123
EASTERN CONFERENCE
W L GB GF GA
Rochester 7 2 – 156 127
Philadelphia 6 2 ½ 112 100
Washington 5 4 2 122 133
Long Island 4 4 2½ 104 106
Boston 4 6 3½ 144 145
New Jersey 2 6 4½ 103 115
Thursday’s result
Rochester 17, Boston 11
Saturday’s games
Philadelphia at Denver, 7 p.m.
Chicago at San Francisco
Los Angeles at Washington
Long Island at New Jersey
Thursday’s game
New Jersey at Philadelphia
Friday’s game
Chicago at Rochester
Saturday, July 28
Denver at Long Island
San Francisco at Los Angeles
SCORING LEADERS
Through Wednesday
Player, team G 2Pt A Pts
John Grant Jr., Rochester 33 2 12 47
Spencer Ford, Los Angeles 9 0 34 43
Ryan Boyle, Philadelphia 19 1 21 41
Kyle Dixon, Wasshington 20 2 14 36
Mikey Powell, Boston 19 0 17 36
Conor Gill, Washington 15 3 17 35
Brendan Mundorf, Denver 24 0 10 34
John Christmas, Boston 17 1 15 33
Kevin Leveille, Chicago 25 0 7 32
Jeff Zywicki, Rochester 17 0 14 31
Also
Jeff Sonke, Denver 17 1 6 24
Brian Langtry, Denver 16 2 6 24
GOALIE LEADERS
Player, team W-L GA GAA SV%
Mickey Jarboe, L.A. 6-2 89 12.14 .580
B. Dougherty, Phila. 6-2 97 12.16 .565
Nicholas Murtha, L.I. 4-4 93 12.34 .551
Mike Levin, Rochester 6-1 100 13.23 .526
Jake Coon, Boston 4-4 107 13.38 .561
Rob Scherr, New Jersey 2-6 111 13.72 .532
Chris Garrity, Wash. 5-4 128 14.02 .548
Matt Vallone, San Fran. 2-6 119 14.88 .520
Trevor Tierney, Denver 2-2 78 16.27 .513
Mike Gabel, Chicago 2-4 96 19.35 .435
