The Maryland Whipsnakes edged the Denver Outlaws 11-10 in a thrilling quarterfinals match on Monday night at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The victory propels the Whipsnakes (6-4) into the semifinals, where they will face the top-seeded New York Atlas on Saturday.
TJ Malone led the way for Maryland with five points, including two goals and three assists. Adam Poitras added a goal and an assist, while Mike Chanenchuk also scored twice. Goalie Brendan Krebs was stellar between the pipes, making 16 saves to help secure the win.
For Denver (5-5), rookie Dalton Young shined with a hat trick, scoring three goals. Brennan O'Neill contributed two goals, while Sam Handley had one goal and two assists. Owen McElroy was impressive in goal with 16 saves, but couldn't stop Maryland's late surge.
The game saw multiple lead changes and was tied at nine heading into the final quarter. A crucial moment came when Jake Bernhardt's errant pass deflected off JT Giles-Harris for a controversial two-point own goal that gave Maryland a temporary lead.
Denver fought back as Jesse Bernhardt cut it to one with under a minute left, but Joe Nardella won a critical faceoff for Maryland to seal their advancement.
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