Turner stops 12 shots as Chesapeake shuts down Denver offense in 16-6 victory
Midfielder Ben Hunt totaled six points on the strength of two 2-point goals as the Chesapeake Bayhawks routed the Denver Outlaws, 16-6, at Harvard Stadium to become the first franchise in Major League Lacrosse history to capture four championships.
Goalkeeper Kip Turner recorded 12 saves to anchor another suffocating defensive effort as Chesapeake held Denver to its lowest goal output of the season. The Outlaws, who came into the game averaging more than 16 goals per game, were held to just one in the second half by a stingy defense led by long sticks Michael Evans, Nicky Polanco and Brian Spallina.
Midfielder Steven Brooks scored two goals and assisted two others for Chesapeake (12-4), which secured its second MLL crown in three years. Attackman Danny Glading contributed two goals and an assist for the Bayhawks, who dominated possession and outshot the Outlaws 55-38 in the contest.
“Going into today, I was very confident that we were going to play a great game. This is the first team I’ve ever coached that we didn’t need to trick anyone to win. We had great talent, great character and great chemistry. All we had to do was execute and we would win,” Chesapeake head coach Dave Cottle said. “Coming into the tournament, I thought we had the best team on paper and we proved that on the field this weekend. I’m really proud of the players for putting together two great performances on back-to-back days.”
When it was over, all the Bayhawks coaches and players piled into a mosh pit on the field while posing for pictures and taking turns hoisting the Steinfeld Trophy. It was the second title in the three-year ownership of Brendan Kelly, who sported a broad smile as he hugged every single coach and player afterward.
“You join the Chesapeake Bayhawks to win championships. We don’t play to just get into the playoffs, we play to win the title,” said Evans, an All-MLL selection.
