Outlaws Squeak by the Rattlers

This Saturday, the Major League Lacrosse (MLL) Championship took place in Kennesaw, Georgia. A week earlier the Rochester Rattlers beat the Ohio Machine and the Denver Outlaws squeaked by the New York Lizards with a late game goal. This set up a Rattlers vs. Outlaws Championship Game. Rochester and Denver were the two top seeds coming into the playoffs and both teams had the talent to win a championship.

On Denver, John Grant Jr. sparks an up-tempo offense that includes Jeremy Sieverts, Eric Law, Chris Bocklet, Cam Holding and Drew Snider. This high power offense is backed up by All-Star goalie Jesse Schwartzman. Schwartzman was the starting goalie on Team USA this summer at the Federation of International Lacrosse {FIL) World Games.

On the other side of the ball, Rochester is heavily loaded with young talent. The Rochester offense is highlighted by Mark Cockerton, Stephen Ianzito, Dave Lawson, Mike Lazore, Kevin Leveille, Miles Thompson, Justin Turri, Jordan Macintosh and Jordan Wolf. Many of the Rochester stars are under 30 and very illusive.  Rochester’s youth and speed was predicted to give Denver a lot of trouble and it did.

After Denver scored the first goal, Rochester went on a good run to create separation. Denver gained some ground in the second quarter by scoring 3 goals to make it 6-4 at halftime. In the second half, the Rattler turned on the gas and took a 10-6 lead going into the fourth quarter. Denver opened up the fourth quarter scoring two quick goals to create a spark of emotion and make things just a little more interesting.Later in the fourth, the Outlaws scored again to make it a 1 goal game. Dave Lawson scored a goal to put a little more separation in Rochester’s lead. Later in the period, Jeremy Sieverts hit a two point shot two tie the game.

At this point in the game somebody needed to step up and that someone was Drew Snider. Snider put the Outlaws up by one goal with a minute left.. Denver one the ensuing face-off but gave the ball back to Rochester with 36 seconds left.  Rochester immediately called a timeout to get ready for what could potentially be a game changing goal. Rochester cleared the ball through the zone but put it on the carpet and lost possession. Denver picked the ball up and stalled for nine seconds. They went on to win the game and be crowned MLL Champions. Denver finally had removed the monkey from their back and win their first title in franchise history. Denver had made the semi finals and lost in previous years but this time they didn’t let that hold them back.

This game was by far one of the greatest MLL Championships to be played. Congratulations to the Denver Outlaws on being MLL Champions and overcoming adversity.

About Gabriel Leonard

A junior at DeMatha Catholic High School. Gabriel has a deep passion and love for playing and writing about sports. He plays Varsity lacrosse at DeMatha and plans to play in college. In his free time he enjoys working out and playing NBA2k17.

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