Sprinting to the end line, Connor Martin saved the ball from going out of bounds, an amazing hustle play by a Denver Outlaw rookie in his Major League Lacrosse debut.
But Martin, gaining a start because of the absence of Team USA players at the world championships, was just getting started. Racing around to the front of the net, he dived, absorbed a body slam and flicked the ball into the net with just one second remaining in the third quarter.
Martin’s play drew Denver (7-3) within three goals and proved catalytic for a startling comeback that kept the Outlaws tied with Boston atop the MLL standings and qualified the team for the MLL Championship Weekend in August.
The Outlaws scored a season-high seven fourth-quarter goals in erasing a four-goal deficit, including Sean Delaney’s 2-pointer, for a 15-11 triumph over Chicago on Saturday night at Invesco Field at Mile High.
Martin, an attackman from California’s Chapman University, which does not field a varsity lacrosse team, finished with three goals and an assist.
“It was an unbelievable athletic play, and it got us going,” said coach and general manager Brian Reese, who capitalized on collegiate club players and in-game adjustments, including shifting midfielder Brian Langtry to attack.
Langtry, who entered the game with five goals, responded with four goals, including three in the final quarter.
“He finished down there; that was huge for us,” Reese said.
After Martin’s inspiring play, rookie Andrew Hennessey won the fourth-quarter’s opening faceoff, raced to the net and scored. Spurred by another faceoff win, Langtry rocketed a high shot past Chicago goaltender Mike Gabel.
Then defenseman Sean McCarthy intercepted a pass to help create Langtry’s snipe to tie the game at 10.
“We started playing with much more energy on offense, and we were more aggressive on defense,” Reese said. “Guys made great plays all over the field. It was a great overall team effort.”
Chicago 4 3 3 1 — 11
Denver 2 2 3 8 — 15
CHI — Goals: McGlone 3, Rotelli 2, Sims, Shanahan, Cannon, Cahill, Garber; Assists: McGlone, Sims, Levine, Shanahan.
DEN — Goals: Langtry 4, Martin 3, Hopmann 2, Hardy 2, Giannone, Delaney, Hennessey. 2-point goal: Delaney. Assists: Langtry 2, Hardy 2, Martin, Giannone, Delaney.
Goalies — CHI: Gabel 13 saves; DEN: Schwartzman 11 saves.
