Machine looks to stop Denver's home streak

The Chicago Machine returns to Invesco Field on Saturday to face the Denver Outlaws in a battle of Major League Lacrosse Western Division rivals.

Each team has won one game in the three-game series. Denver (7-3) took the first round after Jeff Sonke scored a 2-point goal with 13 seconds remaining in the game allowing the Outlaws to sneak by Chicago (3-7). On June 29, the Machine met Denver at Toyota Park and shocked the Outlaws 16-13 with the help of hat tricks by all-stars Steven Brooks and Kevin Leveille.

Last Sunday the Machine defeated the Los Angeles Riptide by the score of 17-13 at Toyota Park. With the win, Chicago avoided a series sweep and claimed its first victory ever over Los Angles.

Mike Leveille helped the Machine overcome an early 8-1 deficit, scoring 4 goals and an assist in the second half to snap Los Angele's three-game win streak. Leveille was named player of the game and MLL Rookie of the Week for his efforts.

Denver is coming off an easy win, defeating the San Francisco Dragons 15-8. Matt Brown scored a season high 6 goals as teammate Brian Langtry posted a hat-trick.

Keys to the game: In the previous two games against Denver, Chicago has demonstrated the intensity and the will to win on the field. In the June 29 win over Denver, Chicago gave up two quick goals but then scored four goals to close out the 1st quarter. Chicago never trailed again and successfully stymied comeback attempts by the potent Denver offense, retaining the intensity right through to the end of the game. To repeat their success in Denver, Chicago's offense, led by Kevin Leveille and rookie attackmen Steven Brooks and Mike Leveille, will need to put constant pressure on Denver. All-star goalie Mike Gabel and the Machine defensive unit, consisting of Jake Deane, Steve Whittenberg, and Rob Smith will need to harass the Denver offense. Jake Deane, who is having a fantastic season and leads all MLL defenders in ground balls, and Doug Shanahan, whose already strong face-off work has gotten even more effective as the season has progressed, will be key to keeping the Outlaw offense off balance.

Upcoming games: The Chicago Machine has a bye week and will play its final home game on Aug. 10, against the Rochester Rattlers. Tickets and more information are available at (312) 255-1522 and www.chicagomachine.com.