A five-goal second-half run helped the Boston Cannons get off to a fast start in the MLL’s 20^th anniversary season.

Boston, fresh off a semifinal loss in 2019, topped the New York Lizards 16-14 Saturday afternoon at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Md., in the second game of the MLL’s abbreviated, fanless season.

Kyle Jackson kicked off the run in the third quarter on a behind-the-back tally, cutting the deficit to 14-12. Jackson later scored the tying goal with 9:31 left in the game.

Mark Cockerton — last year’s team goals leader (43) — buried four goals to begin 2020. His last of the day put Boston ahead 15-14 with under two minutes left.

The Lizards had led 12-9 at halftime.

Chesapeake Picks Up Where it Left Off

The only team with a home-field advantage started the 2020 with a comfortable 16-11 win, as the Chesapeake Bayhawks rode Andrew Kew’s six goals (one two-point goal) to a victory over the Philadelphia Barrage.

Despite Philadelphia’s Alex Woodall’s dominant 20-for-31 showing on faceoffs, the Bayhawks were able to capitalize on offense. Nate Solomon and Lyle Thompson scored three goals apiece.

The score was tied at 10 entering the fourth quarter, but Kew’s perfect shooting day lifted the defending MLL champions to a season-opening win.

“We went down early, and we kept believing,” Kew said. “We had a long time off, everybody, and we new it was eventually going to come. We got the ball and we were able to come back and eventually take a good win to start here.”

Outlaws Thrash Hammerheads

The team that made the biggest splash Saturday was the Denver Outlaws, who throttled the Connecticut Hammerheads 18-6. Ryan Lee’s four goals (five points) led the onslaught, as Denver outshot Connecticut 53-28.

Christian Knight made nine saves and allowed just three goals.

Denver, which lost in the MLL championship game in 2019, outscored the Hammerheads 5-0 in the first quarter and cruised from there. John Grant Jr., who is playing his final season at age 45, notched two assists — including this no-look dish to Lee.

Vintage @JohnGrantJr24 no look @rleezy04 pic.twitter.com/rxSk5dSwRQ

— Denver Outlaws (@DenverOutlaws) July 18, 2020

Goal of the Day

With Mark Ellis draped all over him, Randy Staats delivered this on-point behind-the-back pass to Kyle Jackson, who buried it for the Cannons.

pic.twitter.com/DxIF7hu05L

— US Lacrosse Magazine (@USLacrosseMag) July 18, 2020

Tomorrow’s Schedule

1 p.m. — Bayhawks vs. Lizards, ESPN2
4 p.m. — Outlaws vs. Barrage, ESPN2