Dragons Slain as the Outlaws Ride into MLL Championship

 August 25, 2006 - The Denver Outlaws defeated the San Francisco Dragons, 23-14, in the semfinals of the 2006 New Balance MLL Championship Weekend on Friday night at The Home Depot Center on the campus of Cal State Dominguez Hills in Carson, CA. The Outlaws will play in the MLL Championship match against the Philadephia Barrage at 5pm ET / 2pm PT live on ESPN2 on Sunday, August 27 against the winner of Friday's other semifinal match between the Philadelphia Barrage and Boston Cannons.

The game got off to a quick start when, as a sign of what was to come, Jeff Sonke (2-1—4) scored a 2-pointer 29 seconds into the first period, and was immediately followed 30 seconds later with an unassisted score by Josh Sims (2-2—4). One minute into the contest the score was 3-0, Denver.

After another score by Sims, Matt Brown (3-1—4) scored to make it 5-0. San Francisco remained scoreless until Tom Zummo put them on the board with an unassisted goal with 2:09 left to play in the opening frame. Going into the second quarter, the score would be 5-1.

Only 28 seconds into the second quarter, the Dragons would double their first quarter output thanks to a 2-point goal by defenseman Steven McElduff (1-0—2). McElduff, a rookie, had not taken a shot prior to tonight in his MLL career.

But the second quarter would not take a turn in favor of the Dragons, as Brendan Mundorf (Bud Light Player of the Game, 5-1—6) stole back the momentum by scoring three straight unanswered goals. Denver maintained their scoring onslaught during the second quarter, outscoring the Dragons 9-6. Going into halftime, the Outlaws lead the Dragons 14-7.

The second half started out much like the first, with an instant Denver goal scored by Brown. Brad Reppert (4-1—5) answered right back seconds later with a goal assisted by Kyle Dowd (1-1—3). Reppert lead all Dragons with five points scored. Behind Reppert, who scored all four his goals in the third frame, the Dragons outscored the Outlaws 6-5 in the third quarter.

Former Dragon Jeff Zywicki (4-1—5) started off the fourth quarter in a hurry, adding another goal to Denver’s lofty total; with that score, the Outlaws reached the 20 point plateau just 25 seconds into the fourth quarter. All told, 10 different Outlaws scored a goal tonight.

In the final frame, the Dragons were kept at bay by the Outlaws defense, as they only scored one fourth quarter goal.

The Outlaws successfully shut off Ryan Powell, the league’s Warrior Offensive Player of the Year and Bud Light MVP, holding him to just three points (1-2—3).

With the win, the Outlaws advance to the Championship game to be held Sunday August 27th 2:00 PM PDT at the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA.