The Denver Outlaws (7-3) took the field on Labor Day, looking to head to the Premier Lacrosse League championship game. The Outlaws punched their ticket, capturing their first playoff win since joining the PLL back in 2020, taking down the California Redwoods (5-5) 12-7 after commanding the second half.
The Redwoods struck first with a two-pointer just 90 seconds into the match. After six minutes of play, Brennan O’Neil got the Outlaws on the board with a power-play goal, but California piled on two more to jump to a 4-1 lead. The Redwoods answered O’Neil’s goal, scoring two more goals of their own. Jared Bernhardt and Pat Kavanagh each scored a goal late in the first quarter to cut Redwoods’ lead down to 4-3. Kavanagh’s goal was a buzzer-beater goal.
O’Neil took the lead back for Denver, scoring a two-pointer in the second quarter. The Redwoods regained the lead by scoring two goals. Dalton Young scored a goal within three seconds of the second quarter remaining, tying the game 6-6 for the Outlaws.
Denver gained momentum in the third quarter, with Zach Geddes scoring a goal and O’Neil netting an additional two.
The Outlaws continued to dominate in the fourth quarter, with Young and Graham Bundy Jr. scoring goals. Denver’s defense allowed just one goal in the fourth quarter. Justin Anderson scored the dagger to secure the Outlaws’ 12-7 win over the Redwoods to advance to the PLL Championship.
The Outlaws’ offense was led by O’Neil, scoring three goals, one two-point goal, and one assist.
“Then you realize it’s a two pointer. No one else really in the world can do that type of stuff”, said Kavanagh on Brennan O’Neil’s two point goal.
Anderson and Kavanagh combined for three goals and an assist. Faceoff specialist Luke Wierman had a 57.9% faceoff win rate, helping establish the Outlaws’ offense to take the lead in the second half of the game.
The Outlaws’ defense played a crucial role in keeping Denver in the game and allowing them to mount a comeback in the second half. The Outlaws’ defense caused five turnovers against the Redwoods’ offense. Outlaws Goalie Logan McNaney had a 64.7% save percentage with seven saves.
The win over the Redwoods advances Denver to the PLL Championship, where they will once again face the New York Atlas on Sunday, Sept. 14.
