Men’s Lacrosse Welcomes Air Force, Manhattan and No. 14 North Carolina to Sixth Annual Face-Off Classic

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – February, 24 2006
MEN’S LACROSSE NEWS

Men’s Lacrosse Welcomes Air Force, Manhattan and No. 14 North Carolina to Sixth Annual Face-Off Classic
Pioneers take on Manhattan Saturday and face the Tar Heels Sunday

DENVER-The University of Denver men’s lacrosse team ranked No. 20 in the latest Inside Lacrosse Media Poll, welcomes No. 13 North Carolina, Manhattan and Air Force to Barton Lacrosse Stadium for the 2006 Pioneer Face-Off Classic. Saturday’s games feature Air Force taking on North Carolina at 11 a.m. and DU facing Manhattan at 1:30 p.m. On Sunday Air Force will take on the Manhattan Jaspers at 11 a.m. and DU will face North Carolina at 1:30 p.m.

The Pioneers enter the weekend with a 0-1 record after dropping their season-opener to No. 3 Virginia, 13-7 in Charlottesville Feb. 20. In Monday’s game against Virginia senior Geoff Snider (Calgary, Alberta) led the way tallying two goals and one assist in the loss. Snider was 11-of-21 in face-offs and picked up a team leading 11 groundballs. Also scoring goals for DU were Brad Richardson (Langley, B.C.), Todd Ruport (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Adam Goodwin (Columbus, Ohio), David Hahn (Aurora, Colo.) and Brandon Barcus (Dublin, Ohio). Richardson and Adam Miller (Columbus, Ohio) also tallied one assist apiece.

Air Force will once again be making the trip up from Colorado Springs to participate in the Face-Off Classic. The Falcons have appeared in the Pioneer Face-Off Classic each year of its existence. Air Force finished the 2005 season with a 4-8 record and tied for fifth in the Great Western Lacrosse League. The Falcons enter the weekend with a 0-1 record after falling to Villanova, 11-6 Feb. 18.

Manhattan will be making its second trip to the Mile High City and will open their 2006 season at the Pioneer Face-Off Classic. The Jaspers received votes in the Inside Lacrosse Preseason Poll and received a third-place nod in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Preseason Coaches Poll. Senior defender Pat Farrelly earned All-MAAC Preseason honors. In addition to Farrelly, juniors Chris Oppito, Justin Henry, and Brian Murray headline Manhattan's returnees. Oppito, who tallied 14 goals and 11 assists last season at midfield, and Henry, who posted a 9.68 goals against average in net, were both part of the 2005 All-MAAC Second Team. Murray, who was recently selected to play for Team Ireland at the 2006 World Games, finished with 12 goals and 12 assists last year.

North Carolina will be making its first appearance in the Face-Off Classic this season. The Tar Heels enter the weekend with a 1-0 record and a No. 13 ranking after recording a 14-5 victory of Ohio State on Feb.18. The Tar Heels were led by freshman Michael Burns and Bart Wagner who recorded three goals apiece. The Tar Heels were ranked No. 18 in the Lacrosse Magazine Preseason Poll, No. 20 in the Lax.com Preseason Poll and No. 14 in the Inside Lacrosse Preseason Poll. The Tar Heels finished the 2005 campaign with a 5-8 record and a fourth place regular-season Atlantic Coast Conference finish.

The Pioneers return to action March 4 when they begin a two game homestand. DU squares-off with Colgate on March 4 and hosts Sacred Heart on March 12.

— www.DenverPioneers.com —


Jessica Poole
Media Relations Assistant
University of Denver
Work Phone: 303-871-3392
Home Phone: 734-216-1678
Fax: 303-871-3890
Email: jpoole3@du.edu

GO PIONEERS!