Machine Wins Pro Lacrosse Season Opener at Denver
Published on May 18, 2009 under Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Chicago Machine News Release
Denver, CO - On a beautiful spring night in Denver the Chicago Machine made franchise history with their first road victory, beating the Denver Outlaws 13 to 11 before 9,340 fans at INVESCO Field.
It was a seesaw game that saw the score tied five times and had six lead changes in the first three quarters alone. The Machine finally was able to shut off Denver's offense in the fourth quarter, holding their high powered scorers to just one goal in the final fifteen minutes.
Denver out-shot Chicago 31 to 21 but Machine All-Star goalie, Mike Gabel, was outstanding in goal ending the night with 20 saves.
The Outlaws got off to a quick start, scoring the game's first goal in 0:35 seconds. Denver scored again before Machine All-Star Kevin Leveille scored his first goal of the 2009 season extending his MLL record for consecutive games with a goal to 48.
The teams traded goals before the Machine tied it at 4:45 remaining in the first quarter. Mike Leveille scored his second goal of the game with 0:36 seconds left to put the Machine up by a goal 4 to 3 at the end of the first quarter.
Denver came out strong again in the second quarter scoring three unanswered goals, and reclaimed the lead by a count of 6 to 4. Shortly following Denver's sixth goal Kevin Leveille fired a two-pointer past Denver goalie Jesse Schwartzman to tie it at six apiece. Chris Rotelli hit the corner to put the Machine ahead 7 to 6 with 3:49 remaining. The Machine was able to take this one goal lead into halftime, with the score idling at 7 to 6.
The second half began much like the first with the Outlaws scoring two unanswered goals in the first five minutes and once again taking the lead 8 to 7.
Steven Brooks tied it at 8 and Jake Deane scored just 0:17 seconds later to put the Machine ahead, 9 to 8. Both teams tightened their defenses over the next five minutes before Kyle Harrison got his second goal of the night for Denver to again tie the score, now at 9 to 9.
Kevin Leveille matched Harrison just 0:30 seconds later and put the Machine up 10 to 9. Midfielder Matt Striebel followed Leveille's lead and scored his first of the game, coming off the faceoff, and gave the Machine their biggest lead of the night, 11 to 9.
Denver Attackman Drew Westervelt got his second goal of the night with just 0:48 seconds left in the quarter, cutting the Machine's lead to 11 to 10.
The final quarter began with the Machine still holding a one goal advantage and it was clear this game would come down to the wire.
The Chicago defense tightened down in the final quarter, even after sustaining a three minute penalty for illegal equipment. Steven Brooks and Matt Striebel helped secure the Machine victory by extending the lead to three, before Brendan Mundorf of Denver got his third goal of the game with 3:34 remaining. However, this would not be enough for the Outlaws and the Machine went on to win by a final score of 13 to 11.
The Machine (1-0) are on the road again next week traveling to Toronto (1-0) to face the Nationals in a game of undefeated teams as Toronto survived their first game with a close 17 - 16 win over the Washington (DC) Bayhawks.
The Machine will play their home opener on May 30th at Soldier Field, the first time lacrosse has ever been played at the historic stadium. Face-off is at 3:00 pm. Tickets are on sale at all TicketMaster locations or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets can also be purchased by calling (312) 255-1522.
Major League Lacrosse Stories from May 18, 2009
- Lizards Home Opener -- 3 Days Away! Great Seats Still Available - New York Lizards
- Thomson and Dougherty Earn Weekly Mll Awards - MLL
- Machine Wins Pro Lacrosse Season Opener at Denver - Chicago Machine
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