Denver, CO - For the 6th time in the Chesapeake Bayhawks history since its inception in 2001, they are the MLL Champions as they defeated the Denver Outlaws 10-9 in a MLL Championship thriller in front of more than 6,000 at D ick's Sporting Goods Park on Sunday.
The Bayhawks started off the game hot jumping out to an early 5-0 lead in the first quarter with goals contributed by five different players including MLL MVP candidate Lyle Thompson and Steele Stanwick who scored the game-winner in Friday nights semi-final win. At halftime, the Bayhawks led 8-3 but with the Outlaws home crowd on their back, they went on a 6-0 run over the span 27:45 to start the second half. With just under 8 minutes left in the game, Ryan Lee scored the go-ahead goal for the Outlaws and the home crowd thought they were going to witness their Outlaws win a second consecutive title. Steele Stanwick silenced the crowd by scoring the game-tying goal with a little over two minutes remaining and then assisted on Andrew Kew's championship-winning goal giving the Bayhawks their first title since 2013.
Stanwick was named the MLL Championship Game MVP and received a $3,0000 check courtesy of New Balance and Lyle Thompson was named Coca-Cola Most Valuable Player and Warrior Offensive Player of the Year.
