The Denver Outlaws (6-2) rallied from a pair of seven-goal deficits to defeat the New York Lizards (3-5) 17-14 on Saturday in front of more than 5,000 fans at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. With the victory, Denver remains tied atop Major League Lacrosse with the Ohio Machine and extends their home unbeaten streak against the Lizards to 11 games.

Defenseman Matt Bocklet, who recorded a team-high six ground balls, set the Outlaws’ all-time games played record with his 125th overall (regular season and postseason) appearance. Bocklet surpassed defensman Lee Zink who retired following the 2016 season after an illustrious 11-year career with the Outlaws.

Four Outlaws recorded hat tricks, including Wes Berg, Matt Kavanagh, Gavin McBride and Jeremy Sieverts. McBride, who was making his professional debut after being selected in the fifth round (45th overall) of 2017 MLL Collegiate Draft, tallied all three of his goals in the fourth quarter.

Rookie midfielder and first-round pick Zach Currier assisted on three goals in addition to scoring one of his own and contributing six ground balls. Goalie Jack Kelly stopped nine-of-12 shots in the second half while starting multiple offensive rushes with five ground balls.

Trailing 9-2 and 10-3 midway through the second quarter, Denver would narrow New York’s lead to 11-6 at the half. Berg opened the second half with a goal, but the Lizards responded with two of their own before the game shifted entirely in Denver’s favor.

Sandwiched between a pair of Sieverts’ tallies, Kavanagh produced three consecutive goals to narrow the Outlaws deficit to 13-12. Following  the last Lizards goal, McBride posted his first goal of the contest as the Outlaws finished the game on a 5-0 run.

The Outlaws honored offensive coordinator and MLL’s all-time leading scorer John Grant Jr. in a pregame ceremony.

Denver returns to action on Tuesday, July 4, for the Outlaws’ annual Mile High Fourth of July Game (7 p.m. faceoff). The Fourth of July spectacle, highlighted by Denver’s best fireworks show, has set MLL single-game attendance record numerous times and has averaged more than 25,000 fans during the last 11 years.

Featured Image Credit: Abbie Parr, Pretty Instant