Pioneers’ Comeback Falls Short Against UNC

Pioneers’ Comeback Falls Short Against UNC
Denver men’s lacrosse team drops first game of 2007

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The No. 12-ranked University of Denver men’s lacrosse team trailed by five goals at half but came back to tie the game twice before the No. 14 North Carolina tallied three unanswered goals in the final quarter, handing DU its first loss of 2007, 11-8, Saturday afternoon at Fetzer Field.

Freshman John Dickenson (Dallas, Texas) was DU’s top goal scorer with three goals, while sophomore Brad Richardson (Langley, B.C.) added three points, one goal and two assists, in the effort.

Denver (1-1, 0-0 GWLL) trailed 7-3 when John Dickenson scored the first of four consecutive Pioneer goals. Senior Ryan Zordani (Littleton, Colo.), junior Jon Paulson (Flemington, N.J.), and Richardson all added goals to tie the game at 7-7.

UNC (2-0, 0-0 ACC) took an 8-7 lead on a goal by Gavin Petracca. Dickenson scored his third goal of the game to even the contest at 8-8 at 8:03 remaining in the game. UNC closed out the game on three unanswered goals to give the Tar Heels the win.

Denver scored two goals in just over a minute in the third quarter. John Dickenson scored at 14:20 in the third from senior Ryan Shaughnessy (Columbus, Ohio). Sophomore Joey Murray (Denver) and Richardson teamed up for the second time in the game to cut the Tar Heel lead to three at 13:19. UNC’s Bart Wagner scored at 10:50 in the third to get UNC back a four-goal cushion.

UNC scored the first five goals of the game before Murray, on an assist from Richardson, gave DU its first goal of the game.

DU continues its Tobacco Road tour on Sunday, Feb. 25 against No. 6 Duke (1-0, 0-0 ACC) at 1 p.m. MT/3 p.m. ET. Denver opens its home season in the Mile High City on Saturday, March 3 against Villanova at 1:30 p.m. in the Face-Off Classic.