Opponent: New York Lizards
When: Sunday, August 4, 3 p.m. MDT
Where: Shuart Stadium in Hempstead, NY
Broadcast:CBS Sports Network
All-time vs. New York: 12-2
Match-up: The Denver Outlaws go into this game undefeated with an 12-0 start to their season. The Outlaws will take on New York for the second time this season, when these teams first met this season on July 4th the Outlaws beat the Lizards 16-7 in front of a record-breaking crowd at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Lizards are ranked seventh in the MLL with a 3-9 record and have been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs.
History: The Outlaws have dominated the Lizards 12-2 in the team’s history. The Lizards did beat the Outlaws the last time they played them at home, which was the Outlaws last regular season loss on June 23, 2012.
Last Week: The Denver Outlaws held their winning streak going into their 12th game against the Bayhawks. After a slow start in the first quarter, the Outlaws rebounded and maintained a tight contest with the Bayhawks until the 4th quarter when they went on a four goal run. The final score was 14-12 and the Outlaws concluded the first-ever undefeated home season in team history and clinched the number 1 seed in the playoffs.
When Denver has the Ball:The Denver Outlaws lead the league in goals with 197, eight players have goals in the double digits and 4 out of the top 10 leading scorers in the league are on the Outlaws roster. The Outlaws have put up an average of 16.4 goals per game this season and have outscored their opponents by an average of 7.3 goals per game.
When New York has the Ball: The Lizards have trailed offensively, with only 120 goals (seventh in the league). Denver has a strong defense led by reigning defensive player of the year Lee Zink, who is matched up against the opponent’s top attackman each week and has only allowed 9 goals all season.
When Nobody has the Ball: Denver has been able to control the grounds balls as well as face-off wins this season. However, the Lizards have arguably the best face-off guy in the league in Greg Gurenlian who went 21-29 last week and has a .623% average.
Battle in Net: The Outlaws have only allowed 110 goals this season and Jesse Schwartzman leads the league goalies in goals-against average with 9.52. The Lizards’ Drew Adams leads the league with the most saves on the season with 172.