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Boston overcomes Westervelt, crowd to hand Outlaws second loss of season, 17-16
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The Outlaws look to score Saturday against the Boston Cannons. Despite a career night
from Drew Westervelt and record attendance, the Outlaws lost their second game of the
season by the slimmest of margins, 17-16.
Drew Westervelt's career night and a record crowd were not enough for the Denver Outlaws as they dropped their second game of the season to the Boston Cannons, 17-16. Under threatening skies and the promise of post-game fireworks over 21,000 fans came out to see two of the best teams in the MLL play in what could be a preview of this year's title game. Both the Outlaws and the Cannons played up to the hype as they displayed skill and passion in one of the best games of the year.
Both teams got on the board early and often as the Outlaws jumped out to a three goal lead on goals from Brian Langtry (3G, 2A), Brendan Mundorf (2G) and Westervelt. Undeterred, Boston reeled off three straight of their own before the teams traded goals and ended the first quarter knotted at 4. Westervelt — as predicted by this publication — scored twice in the period on his way to a sock trick (6 goals) that included a two pointer. He also added an assist for good measure.
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The record crowd of 21,952 attempt the wave before the fireworks display at Mile High.
Boston scored three of the four goals recorded in the second period to grab a 7-5 lead going into half time. Denver's only tally in the quarter came on a man up goal from Langtry, assisted by Josh Sims (1G, 1A). One bright spot for the Outlaws was their ability to score with the extra man, taking advantage of Boston's 7 penalty minutes by going 3-7 on man-up.
The teams came out of halftime with renewed vigor and began scoring at a furious pace, 14 goals in all in the quarter. Sims scored unassisted only :25 seconds in and neither team let up from there. After trading 2-point goals from Kevin Cassese (1G) and Westervelt, the Outlaws scored four of the next five behind Langtry, Matt Brown (2G), and Dan Hardy (1G, 2A), to take back the lead 12-10. Boston soon struck back with a four goal burst of their own, riding the fantastic play of their diminutive attackmen Sean Morris (3G, 3A) and Bud Light MVP Ryan Boyle (3G, 2A). A Justin Smith (2G) goal 4:44 into the fourth quarter gave the Cannon a 15-13 lead. Then Westervelt took over. Putting the team on his back and attempting to win the game by himself, Westervelt scored three straight goals in a two minute period to give the Outlaws the lead and the momentum.
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The fireworks display after the game was as impressive as it was patriotic. No injuries were reported.
Denver could not hold off a potent Boston offense, however, and the Cannons battle back. Paul Rabil (3G, 1A), playing inspired lacrosse all night, bullied his was through the Outlaws defense and scored a spectacular falling-down goal to tie the game with 3:30 minutes to play. Penalties and a spritz of bad luck doomed Denver in the final minutes as Justin Smith caught Jesse Schwartzman (12 saves) out of the cage for an open-net go ahead goal with 2:29 to play. Boston was able to hold the ball and run out the rest of the clock for a final score victory of 17-16.
Despite the loss, most fans stuck around after the game for an impressive fireworks display at Mile High. Aside from the occasional projectile making its way into the stands, the pyrotechnics were exciting and were accompanied by a very patriotic big screen presentation.
Saturday's game will be rebroadcast on ESPN-2 on Tuesday, July 7 at noon MST.
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