In front of 8,481 fans at Harvard Stadium, the Denver Outlaws lost the Championship Game to the Rochester Rattlers at the NB Zip Major League Lacrosse Championship Weekend for a final score of 16-6.

The game started off with several failed attempts on goal for both the Outlaws and the Rattlers until Rattlers Attackman John Grant, Jr. scored, which was followed up with a goal by Jeff Zywicki just seconds later. Outlaws goalie Jesse Schwartzman received a penalty for slashing giving Outlaws backup goalie Alex Smith a chance to step in. Outlaws Attackman Ryan Powell scored Denver’s first goal at 3:08 followed up by Outlaws Midfielder Brian Langtry with a 2-pt goal to take the score to 4-3 at the end of the first quarter.

Rattlers Attackman Jeff Zywicki, assisted by Midfielder Casey Powell, scored his second goal early in the second quarter. Outlaws Peter Striebel and Drew Westervelt both scored goals late in the second bringing the score to 6-4 at the conclusion of the first half. Rattlers Midfielders Joe Walters scored early in the third followed up by Midfielder Jordan Hall taking the lead to 8-5. The Outlaws suffered in the third quarter as the Rattlers rounded out the quarter with a lead of 12-5.

The Rattlers’ momentum kept up in the fourth quarter with goals from Jeff Zywicki, Joe Walters, and Brett Bucktooth. Outlaws Attackman Matt Brown scored with an assist from Ryan Powell, but couldn’t fight off the Rattlers, as the Rattlers won the game 16-6.

Joe Walters of the Rochester Rattlers earned the Bud Light MVP Award with 2 goals and 2 assists.

By Theresa Smith - Special to The Denver Post

Hospital visits, fundraising lunches, meeting with first responders — before Maryland Senator Barbara Mikulski hits the road, her logistical coordinator, Benson Erwin, plans travel routes, security details, and entrance and exit points. He’s part of a team, playing a key, yet unsung, role.

It is not unlike the lacrosse field, where Erwin, who plays defensive midfielder for the Denver Outlaws, rarely gets noticed, scooping up ground balls and step sliding in front of hard-charging ballcarriers.

“I’ve said it millions of times,” he said, “I think my best games are when I fly under the radar.”

The third-year Outlaws seek their first Major League Lacrosse title, but step one is slowing the Los Angeles transition game Saturday in the semifinals.

More Details Here!

The Colorado Mammoth will remain in the National Lacrosse League’s West Division under a realignment announced Tuesday.

The Minnesota Swarm will move to the West with the addition of the expansion Boston Blazers to the East.

Matchup to be broadcast live on FSN- Rocky Mountain
DENVER—August 19, 2008— The Denver Outlaws of Major League Lacrosse will head to Boston, Massachusetts this weekend to compete in the NB Zip Major League Lacrosse Championship Weekend. On Saturday, the 2nd seeded Outlaws will face off against the 3rd seeded Los Angeles Riptide in one of two semi-final games. The Outlaws vs. Riptide game will be broadcast live on FSN Rocky Mountain starting at 1:00 pm MST.

The Outlaws and Riptide have already gone head-to-head three times this season, with the Outlaws coming out victorious in the first two, but suffering one loss at Los Angeles. Since 2006, in which the two teams were founded, the Outlaws have defeated the Riptide in seven of nine games. This is the third time the Outlaws have made the playoffs in their first three years of existence.

Prior to the Outlaws semi-final game, the top rated Rochester Rattlers will take on the 4th seeded Philadelphia Barrage. The winners of the two semi-final games will advance to the Championship Game on Sunday, August 24. The Championship Game will air live on ESPN2 at 11:00 MST.

All four of this year’s contenders went to the 2007 NB Zip Championship Weekend, where Philadelphia came out victorious over Los Angeles, 16-13. Like the Riptide, the Outlaws made it to the championship game in 2006, but fell short to the Philadelphia Barrage as well.

The Outlaws have three of the top 25 scorers in the MLL: Brian Langtry (47 pts), Brendan Mundorf (44 pts), and Ryan Powell (38 pts). With an average of 13.39 goals against, Outlaws goaltender Jesse Schwartzman is second only to Los Angeles’ Mickey Jarboe in goalie leaders. Langtry was recently named to the 2008 All-MLL team, which recognizes the best players at each position. Langtry is the league’s leading midfield scorer and the third overall top scorer. He helped the Outlaws to an 8-4 record and their second Western Conference championship, scoring 47 points this season. He scored 24 goals, including three two-point markers, and tallied 20 assists, marking the 23rd time in league history that a player has scored 20 goals and tallied 20 assists in the same season.

A TV viewing party for the Outlaws’ semi-final game on Saturday will be held at the Celtic Tavern located on 1801 Blake Street, starting at 1pm. Outlaws representatives will distribute giveaway prizes and host the event for local fans to gather and cheer on the Outlaws.

University of Denver graduate spent last season with the Philadelphia Barrage of the MLL

EASTON, Pa. - Lafayette men’s lacrosse head coach Terry Mangan has named William McKinney as the newest addition to the coaching staff for the 2009 campaign.

Mangan is excited to bring McKinney’s knowledge of the game to College Hill.

“I am thrilled to add Billy to our staff,” Mangan said. “His playing experience, knowledge of the game and leadership ability will all be tremendous assets to our program.”

McKinney spent the last two seasons working at his alma mater, William Penn Charter High School, in Philadelphia. Last season, he was a member of Major League Lacrosse’s Philadelphia Barrage.

During his tenure at William Penn Charter, he was the assistant coach for the boy’s lacrosse team, as well as an assistant coach for the middle school football squad. He also worked in the development office and supervised the school’s fitness room, where he was responsible for customizing training programs for student-athletes.

McKinney is a 2006 graduate of the University of Denver, where he excelled in the classroom and on the lacrosse field. He earned his degree in Business Administration and Economics.

McKinney was the recipient of the 2004-05 and 2005-06 Student-Athlete Medallion Award for outstanding academic achievement while at Denver. He was named team captain for his senior year.

Lafayette will be looking to fill the void of three seniors lost to graduation in 2008. All-Patriot League Second Teamer Steve Serling and Jeff Canfield, as well as Patriot League Rookie of the Year Tom Perini, all return to an experienced 2009 roster. The Leopards open the 2009 campaign on February 21 against Villanova.