The 2018 Major League Lacrosse playoffs are set to begin Saturday evening with 15 Maryland men's lacrosse graduates currently gracing the rosters of the four remaining teams. The #2 Chesapeake Bayhawks will host the #3 Denver Outlaws in game one at 5:30 pm, before the #1 Dallas Rattlers host the #4 New York Lizards at 7:00 pm.

#3 Denver Outlaws (8-6) at #2 Chesapeake Bayhawks (9-5) | Aug. 11 | 5:30 pm

The Chesapeake Bayhawks, coached by former Maryland head coach Dave Cottle (MLL Coach of the Year candidate), is back in the playoffs for the first time since 2013 when it won the MLL Championship. The Bayhawks have won more championships than any team in MLL history (2002, 2005, 2010, 2012, 2013).

The Denver Outlaws have been one of the most consistent franchises in MLL, advancing to the playoffs 11-of-12 seasons in its existence. The Outlaws particularly enjoy even years, having won the MLL Championship in both 2014 and 2016.

Season Series: Chesapeake won, 2-0

•           May 13: Chesapeake 24, Denver 22
•           July 28: Chesapeake 13, Denver 11

In addition to Cottle gracing the sidelines, the Bayhawks are loaded with eight Maryland graduates. The team includes Team USA member and current Maryland defensive coordinator, Jesse Bernhardt ('13), and MLL Goalkeeper of the Year nominee, Niko Amato ('14).

Bernhardt has appeared in seven games while missing part of the season coaching Maryland and with Team USA, while Amato has had one of his best professional seasons posting a .537 save percentage and an 8-4 record in the cage.

Colin Heacock ('17) has had a sensational sophomore season, tying for the team lead with 38 points and leading the team with 23 goals. Jeremy Sieverts ('09), who has won a pair of MLL titles, was traded from the Outlaws midway through the season and has posted six points in five appearances. Jay Carlson ('15) also appeared in one game late in the season on attack.

Chesapeake features a pair of short stick middies from the Terps' National Championship team in Isaiah Davis-Allen ('17) and Nick Manis ('17). Davis-Allen posted 50 ground balls in the regular season, which ranked 10th in the league and third among non-FOGOs.

Lastly, goalkeeper Brian Phipps ('10) was honored as the Bayhawks' nominee for the first annual Dave Huntley Many of the Year Award. The award will be presented annually to the lacrosse athlete who has demonstrated sportsmanship and professionalism beyond reproach and who makes selfless, meaningful contributions to MLL, the game of lacrosse and to the community.

Drew Snider ('12) is the lone Terp representative on the Outlaws, and he is looking to guide Denver to its third title in five seasons. Snider, who was a member of Team USA, posted 26 points on 20 goals and six assists in 11 games. He has totaled at least 20 points six consecutive seasons.

#4 New York Lizards (8-6) at #1 Dallas Rattlers (11-3) | Aug. 11 | 7:00 pm

The Dallas Rattlers pieced together one of its finest regular seasons all-time, earning the top seed with an 11-3 record. The Rattlers won eight of their final nine games to close the season. Dallas, which is moved from Rochester in the offseason, is seeking its second MLL title (2008).

The New York Lizards, meanwhile, are sizzling hot as they won their final three games to sneak into the playoffs as the 4-seed with an 8-6 record. The Lizards franchise has won three MLL titles (2001, 2003, 2015).

Season series: New York won, 1-0

•          July 29: New York 13, Dallas 12

The lone Terp on the Rattlers, Matt Dunn ('16) has had a sensational season. In addition to being named an MLL All-Star, Dunn was one of three players nominated for the MLL's Defensive Player of the Year Award. One of the top lockdown defenders in the League, Dunn totaled 18 ground balls and caused nine turnovers while also scoring four goals.

The Lizards feature five Terps: the ageless Joe Walters ('06), Joe LoCascio ('15), Jake Bernhardt ('13), Dan Morris ('18) and Dan Groot ('09).

In his 13th season as a professional, Walters has pieced together arguably the best season of his career. The veteran totaled 52 points in the regular season – a personal-best – on 27 goals and 25 assists. His 25 assists ranked third in the entire league. Walters is in the playoffs for the fourth time in his career and is seeking his third MLL title.

LoCascio has also been effective on the offensive end, complementing a vaunted Lizard attack with 16 goals and four assists of his own. He's also had three two-point goals.

Fresh off winning gold at the World Championships with Team USA, Jake Bernhardt was acquired from the Ohio Machine midway through the season. He has two points and six ground balls in three appearances since joining New York.

Morris, meanwhile, has appeared in one game as a backup to Drew Adams. Groot has appeared in two games for the Lizards.

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