No. 14 Men’s Lacrosse Team Concludes Great Western Lacrosse League Play With 5-0 Record After 7-3 Win Over Air Force

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 29, 2006
MEN’S LACROSSE NEWS

No. 14 Men’s Lacrosse Team Concludes Great Western Lacrosse League Play With 5-0 Record After 7-3 Win Over Air Force
The Pioneers break the record for wins in a season by picking up their 12th win

Colorado Springs, Colo.-The No. 14 Denver Pioneer men’s lacrosse team completed their first-ever undefeated league schedule with a 7-3 win over the Air Force Falcons in Colorado Springs this afternoon. The win moves the Pioneers to 12-4 (5-0 GWLL) on the season while the Falcons finish the season at 7-9 (2-3 GWLL). Joe Murray (Denver, Colo.) led the Pioneers scoring two goals on the afternoon. Jeb Hollingsworth (Darien, Conn.) made eight saves in 60 minutes of action in the cage.

“I’m really proud of our team,” head coach Jamie Munro said. “There hasn’t been a team that has gone 5-0 in the Great Western Lacrosse League in a long time and for our guys to accomplish that says a lot about our team. These guys have worked hard all season and will continue to work hard as we prepare for the NCAA Tournament.”

The Pioneers got off to a quick start in the first half. Senior Geoff Snider (Calgary, Alberta) put the Pioneers on the board at the 11:27 mark of the first period. DU controlled the offense for much of the first period and got everyone involved. Brandon Barcus (Dublin, Ohio) connected with Eric Covey (San Antonio, Texas) to put the Pioneers up 2-0 with just under 10 minutes remaining in the period. Barcus found net himself just minutes later, putting a rocket past Air Force goalkeeper, Justin Pavoni to give DU a 3-0 lead. The Falcons answered with a goal of their own with 6:45 remaining to cut the DU lead to 3-1. The Pioneers wouldn’t be discouraged and got back-to-back goals from Murray to take a 5-1 lead at the end of the first. The Pioneers started the second period right where they ended the first. Jon Paulson (Flemington, N.J.) scored his ninth goal of the season just one minute and 45 seconds into the period to push the DU lead to 6-1. The second period was evenly played with the Falcons only allowing DU nine shots in the period, but it wouldn't prevent the Pioneers from getting on the board. Snider connected with Adam Goodwin (Columbus, Ohio) at the 4:02 mark of the period to take a 7-1 lead. The Falcons added one to their tally scoring on a man-up opportunity to cut the lead to 7-2 heading into the break.

The Falcons came out with some energy in the second half scoring the halves first goal to cut Denver's lead to 7-3 with a little over 13 minutes remaining in the third period. The rest of the period would be scoreless, although both teams had plenty of scoring opportunities. The Pioneers and Falcons each recorded shots in the fourth period but neither could find net as the Pioneers picked up their 12th win of the season with the 7-3 victory.

DU dominated the statistical categories out shooting the Falcons 27-18 for the game and clearing 20-of-24 opportunities. Snider was 9-of-14 from the face-off circle for the game.

The Pioneers will await the 2006 NCAA Selection show to find out who they will face in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The selection show will air Sunday May 7 at 8 p.m. (MT) on ESPNews.


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