NATIONALS FALL TO DENVER IN OPENER

5/5/12 11:50 PM

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(Denver, Colo., May 5)... The Hamilton Nationals opened their 2012 Major League Lacrosse season opener against the Denver Outlaws on Saturday night with several new faces. However, the Outlaws' veteran lineup proved to be too much to overcome as Denver posted a 15-6 victory at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.

Midfielder Josh Sims, who was named as the Bud Light MLL Player of the Game, scored all five of his goals during an 11-0 Denver run that spanned over 32 minutes. He also added an assist in the victory for Denver.

Led by a goal and an assist from attackman Terry Kimener, the Outlaws sprinted out to a quick 3-0 lead in the first 8:18 of the game. But, the Nationals closed the margin to 3-2 on back-to-back goals from attackman Jeff Zywicki and midfielder Tom Compitello.

With 2:01 remaining in the first quarter, Sims scored a shorthanded goal to ignite an 11-point run for the Outlaws. The run, which lasted through the end of the third quarter, extended the Denver advantage to 14-2.

Just 31 seconds into the fourth quarter, the Nationals ended Denver's run when midfielder Brett Bucktooth scored off an assist from Rhys Duch to start a three-goal spurt that narrowed the margin to 13-5. Compitello and midfielder Dan Deckelbaum also scored during the run.

However, the Outlaws sealed the victory when Joe Yevoli scored an unassisted goal with 2:32 left in regulation.

While Sims led the Outlaws with his five-goal performance, attackman Jeremy Sieverts added his second straight "hat trick" with three goals, including a two-point marker. Goalkeeper Jesse Schwartzman made 12 saves and allowed just five goals in 58 minutes.

Compitello and Deckelbaum each scored twice to lead Hamilton in a losing effort while Zywicki contributed a goal with two assists in his first game with the Nationals after a two-year hiatus.

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