The Denver Outlaws fell 17-12 to the Ohio Machine in the 2017 Major League Lacrosse Championship on Saturday in Frisco, Texas. It was the organization’s seventh time making the league’s championship game in 12 seasons of existence.
The Outlaws led 12-10 with 9:30 remaining before the Machine scored the game’s final seven points.
“When you dare to set the bar as high as we do in the Denver Outlaws organization, there’s a chance that your heart can get broken,” Head Coach B.J. O’Hara said. “Obviously, we’re broken hearted right now, but we’re awfully proud of the season that we had. I can’t say enough about this group of young men that we’ve put together.”
Attackman Matt Kavanagh led Denver with six points (4 goals, two assists), while Zach Currier, Wes Berg and Eric Lawall tallied four points. Goalie Jack Kelly recorded 10 saves and midfielder Tom Kelly won 17-of-32 faceoffs.
After falling behind 2-0 in the game’s opening minutes, Denver rattled off three consecutive goals to take their first lead. Neither team led by more than a pair for the rest of the half, and Denver attackman Mike Bocklet’s goal with one second on the clock sent the Outlaws into the halftime break with a 7-6 lead.
Denver scored the first three goals of the third quarter and held a 10-6 advantage with 2:48 remaining in the third. Ohio rattled off three quick goals to bring them within one heading into the final quarter.
Featured Image Credit: Major League Lacrosse, Pretty Instant