The Denver Outlaws named rookie netminder Logan McNaney as the starting goalie heading into their Week 3 tilt against the Philadelphia Waterdogs. McNaney will make his PLL debut against the Waterdogs on Saturday Night Lacrosse.
McNaney replaces Owen McElroy, who started each of the last two games. McElroy underwhelmed in each game, allowing 13.5 scores against and saving just 39.6% of the shots he faced, the lowest save percentage among full-time starters in the league.
Through two weeks, Denver has the lowest save percentage and highest scores against average in the league. Head coach and general manager Tim Soudan said the team considered a switch to McNaney at halftime last week but ultimately held off on a decision until this weekend’s game.
McElory was Denver’s starter all of last season. He saved just over 50% of his shots while allowing 11.3 scores per game. He peaked in moments — including a 16-save, five-scores-allowed game against the California Redwoods — but the Outlaws were below league average in goal.
Denver addressed that need by making McNaney the first goalie drafted this year. He’s the second goalie to make his debut this season after Emmett Carroll made a start for the Maryland Whipsnakes a week ago.
McNaney is the all-time saves leader at Maryland, where he led the Terrapins to a national championship in 2022. In his senior season, he saved 59% of the shots he faced and allowed just 7.96 goals per game.
He’ll have to face one of the top offenses in the PLL in his debut. The Waterdogs are averaging 15 goals per game, while attackman Michael Sowers is on an early MVP trajectory with 15 points in two games. Philadelphia is also showering goalies, scoring on a league-best 37.5% of its shots.
