OUTLAWS OUT RIDE RIPTIDE, 22-11

Denver Outlaws 22 vs. Los Angeles Riptide 11
July 1, 2006
INVESCO Field at Mile High

DENVER – The Denver Outlaws (5-2) used strong first-half performances from Matt Brown and Mike Law to cruise to a 22-11 win over the Los Angeles Riptide (2-4) on Saturday in front of a Major League Lacrosse-record crowd of 15,981.

Brown, who collected his second most valuable player of the game honors, recorded seven goals in the first half while Law tallied three markers in the opening two quarters. The two University of Denver products each tallied seven points in the game to pace Denver’s offense, which eclipsed the 20-point-plateau for the fourth time this season.

The league’s reigning Rookie of the Week, Brendan Mundorf, added to his rookie-leading goal total with a pair of tallies (15), while dishing the first three assists of his MLL career. Rounding out Denver’s offensive barrage were Jeff Sonke (1-3—4), Josh Sims (2-1—3), Matt Rewkowski (2-1—3), Matt Hanna (1-1—2), Hunter Lochte (1-0—1), Brian Langtry (0-1—1) and Benson Erwin (0-1—1).

MLL All-Star Chris Cercy showed his merit, winning 21-of-34 faceoffs (0.618). The Outlaws also dominated the Riptide in shots on goal, peppering Los Angeles’ cage with 45 shots, while the visitors managed only 22 shots on net. Outlaws goaltender Trevor Tierney stifled 11 shots before yielding to Colorado State University product Alex Smith (1 save) for the last 6:30 of the fourth quarter.

The crowd came to the game expecting a display of fireworks after the game. They were treated to a display of firepower earlier than they expected. Matt Brown got the home side on the board early as he gathered a rebound and deposited it behind Riptide netminder Tillman Johnson. Brown added the team’s second goal when he fired a shot behind his head after collecting the rebound of Langtry’s shot at 2:44 of the first quarter.

The Outlaws, sporting their black jerseys for the first time at home this season, opened a 6-3 lead at the end of the first quarter and a 14-5 edge at halftime.

With the Riptide focusing defensively on Brown to start the third quarter, Denver’s offense was limited to one goal. Los Angeles narrowed the margin to 15-7 after three quarters. Sims, who is heading to the MLL All-Star Game on Thursday, tallied the Outlaws’ first two goals of the fourth quarter to open a 17-6 lead. The Riptide answered with two goals, but MLL All-Star Law responded for Denver with two goals sandwiched around a Mundorf marker to open a 20-9.

If including last season’s All-Star Game, Denver owns the league’s top four attendance figures and six of the circuit’s top eight marks in that category.

Five Outlaws will play in the MLL All-Star Game in Boston on Thursday as Chris Cercy, Mike Law, Josh Sims and Jeff Sonke will face the U.S. National Team which includes Outlaws netminder Trevor Tierney.

The Outlaws and Riptide will square off again week at The Home Depot Center at 2 p.m. Denver returns to INVESCO Field at Mile High on July 22 for its last home game against the Chicago Machine.

For complete statistics for this game, please go to www.pointstreak.com