The Denver Outlaws have never forgotten one of the greatest performances in Major League Lacrosse history, simply because they could not stop it: Ryan Powell’s nine-goal scoring spree against Denver on June 10, 2006.
These days, they have no worries about the MLL’s most valuable player of 2001 and 2006.
The Outlaws acquired Powell and midfielder Nate Watkins from the San Francisco Dragons in March in exchange for two 2008 draft picks and a 2009 draft pick.
“It’s a lot better having him than playing against him,” Outlaws coach and general manager Brian Reese said.
Powell, who grew up in New York state as a fan of Broncos quarterback John Elway, won’t be making his debut in Saturday’s season opener against the Los Angeles Riptide at Invesco Field at Mile High. He’ll be playing for the Portland LumberJax in the National Lacrosse League title game.
The Outlaws’ Drew Westervelt will take Powell’s place on attack, alongside Brendan Mundorf and Matt Brown. When Powell returns May 24 for a road game against the Washington Bayhawks, Westervelt will move to offensive midfield, a new position for the promising second-year player from Maryland-Baltimore County.
Westervelt will be replacing fan favorite and DU graduate Mike Law, who retired to focus on his law career.
Jesse Schwartzman will start in goal in place of Trevor Tierney, who retired because of concussions. Tierney remains with the team as defensive coordinator.
The rapid growth of the game in the region is reflected by the presence of several area players, including former DU players Brown, Tom Ethington and Geoff Snider; Colorado State graduate Alex Smith of Parker; and rookie Ryan Zordani, a product of Littleton’s Heritage High.
Outlaws Brown, Ethington, Brian Langtry, Nick Carlson and Josh Sims all must make a quick transition after completing play for the NLL’s Colorado Mammoth on May 3.
Langtry was in typical warrior form in an overtime scrimmage win last week against L.A. Seconds after trainers bandaged his bleeding chin, the offensive midfielder scored on a diving goal. He predicted an improvement over last season’s 7-5 record.
“I think we can be a championship team,” Langtry said. “I think we could have been last year, and now we’ve added Ryan Powell, one of the best players in the game. The fans are in for a treat. He takes a lot of pressure off all of us.”
Watkins, Powell’s teammate in San Francisco, said: “Ryan carries the ball and creates (chances) for other people. It will open up a lot for Brendan Mundorf and Matt Brown.”
Offensive midfielders Jeff Sonke and Matt Hanna return, as do Benson Erwin and Casey Cittadino as defensive-minded midfielders. Lee Zink, Tom Garvey and either Zach Jungers or Sean McCarthy will start on defense. Harry Alford joins Smith as a backup goalkeeper.
