Pat Kavanagh Seals Denver Outlaws’ Comeback vs Carolina

Kavanagh’s Game‑Winning Hustle

Pat Kavanagh found himself on the move with Denver clinging to a one‑goal advantage as the clock ticked down. He weaved through three Carolina defenders and a flurry of stick checks, finally outrunning the defense to notch the decisive tally. “Just power cradle and pray. I don’t know, honestly,” Kavanagh told ESPN’s Dana Boyle after breaking the stalemate. The goal gave the Outlaws a 10‑8 victory at Fairfield and marked the second straight week Denver had to battle hard for a win.

Carolina’s Early BlITZ and Goalie Battle

The Chaos erupted with five strikes in the opening quarter, pushing Denver into an early deficit. Logan McNaney rebounded from a career‑low outing, posting 14 saves and a .636 save percentage. “We took care of, call it the heart, the paint,” McNaney explained, highlighting the defensive wall that limited further Carolina scoring. Despite the early onslaught, the Outlaws managed to keep the game within reach.

Wisnauskas Hat‑Trick and Offensive Flurry

Logan Wisnauskas sparked Denver’s offense with a three‑goal haul in the first half, helping the Outlaws seize the lead. Jared Bernhardt contributed two more tallies, but the Outlaws struggled to expand their advantage after halftime. Carolina’s defense, however, succeeded in restricting Denver to just a handful of chances in the second half, keeping the contest tight.

Mid‑Game Shift and the Tie‑Breaking Moment

A mis‑controlled ball slipped past McNaney, allowing Carolina to knot the score at eight with under three minutes remaining. The Outlaws, however, found a response just after the ensuing faceoff. Brennan O’Neill linked up with captain Justin Anderson for the go‑ahead goal, 81 seconds left on the clock. Luke Wierman’s critical draw win—13 of 21 attempts, a 61.9% success rate—set up Kavanagh for the eventual game‑sealer.

Soudan’s Take on the Comeback

Coach Soudan praised his team’s relentless compete level, saying, “I think our compete level was really high all day. There wasn’t too much to talk about besides, ‘All right, it’s our turn now.’” The victory showcased Denver’s ability to dig deep when the contest grew tough. Yet the performance also highlighted lingering concerns about starting slowly and an offense that can stall.

Looking Ahead to the Home Stretch

Denver heads into a pivotal weekend of the regular season with questions still lingering about first‑quarter execution and offensive consistency. The Outlaws proved they possess the intangibles to battle through any game, but they will need to tighten up early and find scoring rhythm to secure playoff positioning. The win over Carolina offers a morale boost, yet the team knows there is work to be done before the critical home games next week.