Di Miller, Beat Writer Denver Outlaws
Lacrosse is Awesome
The Denver Outlaws (2-5) headed to Florida Atlanta University to face the winless Launch (1-6) on Saturday June 11. The Outlaws were desperate to get their first win on the road, and Florida was desperate for their first victory of the 2016 season. The stadium was a virtual ghost town as only 1,642 fans were in attendance; those die hard lacrosse fans who, no matter what, show up to support their team got to witness the Launch win their first game of 2016. Final Score: Florida 19—Denver 16.
The game opened up immediately with an amazing two point goal by Florida’s Connor Buczek off the opening face-off. The Launch would dominate the first quarter with a total of seven goals. They would see goals come from Jovan Miller; and two apiece from Owen Blye and Kieran McArdle. Denver would be held to three goals, one from Eric Law; Drew Snider; and Tim Barber. Denver had nine shots on goal, but as was obvious by the score, the Outlaws weren’t taking quality shots and Austin Kaut, goalie for the Launch was tough in net. Florida on the other had landed seven of their eight shots on goal going up against rookie Jack Kelly in his MLL debut. Score at the end of one: Florida 7—Denver 3.
Snider would start the second for the Outlaws and also be the one to score the final goal of the quarter giving him the hat-trick, and the only player to score two goals in the frame. Mike Bocklet would get his first of two; and Wes Berg got his first of three. The Launch would see goals from Blye; Buczek; McArdle (hat-trick); and Jeremy Thompson his first of four on the night. Denver was still behind on goals versus shots with eight shots and four goals. Florida was doing a little better in the category in the second with six shots and four hitting net. Score at the half: Florida 11—Denver 7.
The third would start off the opening face-off with Mike Bocklet getting his second of the night with the assist from brother Matt. Cameron Lao-Gosney who had the assist on the opening two-pointer by Buczek would get his only goal of the night. 
Matt Kavanagh, rookie attack for the Outlaws would net his first career MLL goal only 3:08 into the period and his first of three in the quarter giving him the hat-trick. The Outlaws would see Barber and Berg each get their second of the night. Blye would net two for the Launch giving him the hat-trick; Buczek and (J) Thompson each scoring their second. The Outlaws would take nine shots to Florida’s six. The Outlaws were only down by three at the end of the third with the score: Florida 16—Denver 13.
The Outlaws would go on a three-goal run to start off the fourth, with Jeremy Sieverts getting his first and only of the night another off the opening face-off; Kavanagh would get his fourth on the night; and Berg would come through with the hat-trick. But it would be Florida who would net the final three of the game with the first off (J) Thompson giving him the hat-trick; followed by an amazing dive from the side of the crease shot from Buczek; and the final nail in the coffin off (J) Thompson with 34 seconds left on the clock. Final: Florida 19—Denver 16.
Denver saw for the sixth time in seven games at least three players record hat-tricks; and had seven different players score. But, again they were without veteran mid-fielder Chris Bocklet; and John Grant Jr. had no goals or assists. They have yet to find a net-minder who is comfortable between the pipes although rookie Jack Kelly had 10 saves out of 28 shots on goal in the contest; but they are definitely tuned in at X with Tommy Kelly who was an impressive 27-38 and a .711 FO%. This season, the Outlaws have lost many of their veterans to either retirement or the Expansion and Supplemental Drafts. The Collegiate draft picks are starting to come into play, but is it enough to turn the Outlaws season around?
Their next four games will be played on their home turf where it seems to be the only place they can find a “W” this year.
The Outlaws (2-5) head home to the Mile-High City to face the Rochester Rattlers (3-3) in their first of four at home. The Rattlers are coming off back-to-back wins over the Machine (6-2) and the Bayhawks (4-3). How bad does Denver want to turn things around? Let’s hope they can figure it out when they return to Sports Authority Field.
Di Miller, Beat Writer Denver Outlaws
Lacrosse is Awesome