OUTLAWS REMAIN PERFECT, SHOOT DOWN BAYHAWKS 24-14

The Outlaws used a six-point, three-goal showing by Mike Law to defeat the defending Major League Lacrosse champion Baltimore Bayhawks 24-14 in front of a crowd of 10,157 Saturday at INVESCO Field at Mile High. Matt Brown added four goals for the Outlaws, who trailed early 3-0. Law put Denver on the scoreboard 5:42 into the first quarter before the teams traded goals to end the opening stanza, giving Baltimore a 4-2 lead.

The Outlaws shifted gears and hit the accelerator, scoring the last five points of the first half and seven of the final eight. Brendan Mundorf, selected by Denver in the second round (21st overall) of the 2006 MLL Collegiate Draft, tallied a trio of goals during a 9-0 run for the Outlaws that began in the second quarter and stretched early into the third. The former UMBC standout made his professional debut with Denver and became the first rookie this season to tally a hat trick.

Trevor Tierney, who earned the game’s MVP honors, held his ground, turning aside 25 of the 37 shots he faced. Tierney benefited from another explosive offensive outburst. The Outlaws ripped four shots from behind the arc (two from Law and one each from Benson Erwin and Jeff Sonke) to equal the third-best mark by a team in a single game in league annals.

The Outlaws lead the league this season with nine two-point goals. Tom Marechek scored four goals to lead the Bayhawks, who fell to 1-2 on the season. Law added three assists to go along with his six points, giving the University of Denver product the league lead with 12 goals and 17 points (12-3—17) on the season.

The crowd of 10,157 ranked second all-time for an MLL game, trailing only the 13,167 that witnessed the Outlaws’ 24-14 victory over the Chicago Machine in the teams’ inaugural game. Denver leads the MLL in attendance this season, averaging 11,662 through two home games.

With this win Denver (3-0) remains undefeated and atop the Western Conference standings. The Outlaws also became the first MLL expansion team to defeat one of the league’s original six squads, joining the Philadelphia Barrage as the league’s remaining undefeated teams. The Outlaws will put their perfect start on the line next week when the San Francisco Dragons make their first visit to Denver on Saturday, June 10.

Though the Outlaws and Bayhawks battled for the first time, the two teams share common bonds. Six Denver players were on Baltimore’s roster last season. Outlaws Head Coach Jarred Testa and General Manager Brian Reese have also played for the Bayhawks.