The Denver Outlaws dropped their first game of 2017, losing 16-15 to the Rochester Rattlers (3-3) on Saturday at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Outlaws remain in first place in Major League Lacrosse despite the loss.
“The difference between winning and losing in this league is very slight,” Head Coach BJ O’Hara said postgame. “Tonight, they had that little bit extra and they made the plays down the stretch that they needed to. We squandered away a couple chances at the end and they deserved to win.”
Denver had three players record hat tricks in the loss. Attackman Mike Bocklet had four goals for the Outlaws, his fourth hat trick of the season. Midfielder Tim Barber netted three goals for the first time in his career, and attackman Eric Law recorded his first hat trick of the season.
The Outlaws battled back from a three-goal deficit midway through the first quarter as the Rattlers led 5-3 after one frame. Denver responded with a 6-0 scoring run to open the second quarter, with four of the goals coming in just 1:31.
Denver took a 10-8 lead into the break as Rochester closed out the half on a 3-2 run. The Outlaws led 13-12 heading into the last quarter after the teams traded goals in the third.
However, Rochester rallied in the fourth quarter to outscore Denver 4-2, including the final two goals of the game.
Denver is on the road next Saturday for a matchup with the Boston Cannons (7 p.m. MDT faceoff).
Featured Image Credit: Major League Lacrosse, Pretty Instant