First Half Powers Outlaws Past Launch 15-12
May 16, 2015 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Denver Outlaws News Release
DENVER -The Denver Outlaws welcomed back their lineup from the 2014 MLL Championship with as they defeated the Florida Launch 15-12. John Grant, Jr., Jeremy Noble and Cam Holding all made a huge impact in their first game of 2015. Grant was named Coca-Cola Player of the Game for his four-point effort against the Launch.
Florida took an early 2-1 lead with goals from Steven Brooks and Duncan Clancy. Eric Law kicked off the scoring for the Outlaws with his first of the game assisted by Grant. The Outlaws stole the momentum and ran with it. Denver scored three consecutive goals in the final 2:18 of the first quarter to close out the period. Jeremy Sieverts and Grant scored unassisted goals, and Michael Simon notched the first two-point goal for the Outlaws this season with just 5 seconds remaining in the first quarter to take a 5-2 lead.
The Outlaws carried that momentum into the second quarter. Denver had a four-goal run, beginning with a second goal from Law assisted by Grant. Drew Snider scored his first of the game, and Holding scored just 25 seconds after a goal by Noble, bringing the Outlaws' lead to 9-2. Florida's David Earl stopped the bleeding with a goal assisted by Casey Powell scored in transition after a big save by relief goalkeeper Adam Fullerton. Powell recorded a goal of his own assisted by Kieran McArdle. Denver closed out the half with two goals scored 46 seconds apart. First Law completed his hat trick on a man-up opportunity, assisted by Sieverts, then Grant scored his second, assisted by Noble. Denver led 11-4 after one half of play.
Anthony Kelly paced the Outlaws in the first half, winning 5 of 6 faceoffs in the first quarter and 10 of 15 in the first half. Jesse Schwartzman did well in the cage. He had five saves on seven first quarter shots on goal, and one more in the second quarter, seeing just three shots on goal in the quarter.
It was a tale of two halves as the scorecard flipped for the Outlaws and Launch. In the second half, Denver scored just two goals in each quarter as Florida had done in the first half.
The teams traded goals to begin the third quarter. Sieverts started off the scoring in the second half with his second goal of the game. Cameron Lao-Gosney responded with a goal for the Launch. Chris Bocklet notched his first goal after missing two games, before Roman Lao-Gosney scored his first of the match just 45 seconds after Bocklet's goal and 2:03 after his twin. Florida made a run to close out the third to bring the score to 13-8, despite failing to convert on two man-up opportunities in the period.
The Launch continued their dominance in the fourth quarter, recording two more goals, both assisted by McArdle, before the Outlaws could respond. Sieverts ended the 20:47 scoring drought for Denver with an unassisted goal to complete his third hat trick of the season. Snider also scored an unassisted goal for the Outlaws in the final frame. Florida cut Denver's lead to 15-12 with two goals in the final 45 seconds of play as Roman Lao-Gosney and Powell each completed a hat trick for the Launch.
Schwartzman was strong in goal for Denver with 10 second-half saves, including seven in the third quarter. Kelly finished the night 14-29 at the X and picking up two ground balls. Matt Bocklet picked up seven ground balls en route to the Outlaws victory.
Denver returns home to take on the Chesapeake Bayhawks in a game presented by U.S. Bank on Sunday, May 24, that will feature Denver's best fireworks display and a Major League Eating competition hosted by Illegal Pete's.
For tickets please visit www.denveroutlaws.com.
• Discuss this story on the Major League Lacrosse message board...
Major League Lacrosse Stories from May 16, 2015
- Holman Leads Machine over Hounds 14-10 - Charlotte Hounds
- First Half Powers Outlaws Past Launch 15-12 - Denver Outlaws
- Launch Fourth Quarter Comeback Not Enough for Win - Florida Launch
- Holman Leads Machine Past Hounds - Ohio Machine
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
