Brian Kormondy scored with 6:41 remaining in overtime to lift the Denver Outlaws to a 13-12 win over the Chesapeake Bayhawks in a battle of Major League Lacrosse unbeatens and rematch of the 2019 MLL title game Wednesday at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Md.
Buoyed by a 22-for-25 performance by faceoff specialist Max Adler, the Outlaws (4-0) scored the last three goals of regulation to force overtime. They trailed 12-9 after a pair of sensational dunks by Bayhawks attackman Lyle Thompson before rallying. The three-goal margin was the widest at any point in the back-and-forth game.
Chesapeake goalie Brian Phipps made his 16th save on the first possession of overtime, but the Bayhawks could not capitalize on their lone opportunity. After a pair of turnovers, Kormondy got a full head of steam coming out of the substitution box and sent a lefty blast past Phipps for the game-winner.
Adler’s excellence at the stripe allowed Denver to outshoot Chesapeake 54-36 and overcome 20 turnovers. Attackman Ryan Lee scored a game-high five goals.
Thompson led the Bayhawks (3-1) with three goals.
Hammerheads Win First Game
Bradley Voight scored four goals and Sean Sconone made 15 saves to lead the Connecticut Hammerheads to a 10-8 victory over the New York Lizards and the first win in team history.
Connecticut (1-2) withstood a first-quarter barrage thanks to Sconone, the reigning MLL Goalie of the Year. He made eight saves in the first 15 minutes, as New York outshot the Hammerheads 16-5 in the frame but came away with just a 2-1 advantage.
Connecticut blanked the Lizards in the second quarter, took a 4-2 lead into halftime and never trailed again.
New York (0-4) twice pulled within one goal, but could find little success on offense beyond the contributions of midfielder Sean O’Brien (two goals, three assists) and attackman Andrew Pettit (two goals). The Lizards shot just 8-for-44.
Play of the Day
Lyle Thompson was in MVP form.
Tomorrow’s Schedule
4 p.m. — Lizards vs. Barrage, ESPN+
7 p.m. — Outlaws vs. Cannons, ESPN+