DU’s men’s lacrosse team announced their 2014-2015 schedule via a live Twitter reveal on Wednesday, Oct. 1.
DU, currently ranked no. 2 in the nation by to laxpower.com, has attended the Final Four Championships three times in the last four years and is looking to make another appearance. With strong, raw talent and an inspiring coaching staff, the Pioneers have an exciting season ahead of them.
Denver hosted the Colorado Lacrosse Day at Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium and at the Diane Wendt Sports Fields on Oct. 11. The University of Colorado- Boulder, Colorado State University, Colorado College, Adams State University and Brigham Young University (BYU) were all in attendance.
The tournament was played round-robin style and Denver faced Colorado- Boulder, Colorado State and BYU.
Playing on their home turf for the first time this year, Denver defeated Colorado-Boulder in a high scoring game, 22-2. The Pioneers were also victorious over Colorado State, winning 9-2 and in DU’s final game of the day, the boys took home their third win over BYU, 10-2.
University of Maryland sophomore transfer, Connor Cannizaro, racked up seven goals and four assists for Denver throughout the day.
Before the official season begins, the Pioneers will host the Denver Outlaws at Peter Barton in the Sixth Annual Colorado Lacrosse Showcase on Oct. 18 at 1 p.m. The current Minor Lacrosse League (MLL) champions, the Outlaws will be coming off their recent MLL championship title win when they face the Pioneers. Former DU players and alumni Eric Law, Cameron Flint, Jeremy Noble and Dillon Roy will take the field for the Outlaws.
The no. 8 ranked Johns Hopkins University will face the Pioneers in an exhibition game on Jan. 24 in Baltimore. The last time Denver played Johns Hopkins was in 2011, when they defeated the Blue Jays 14-9.
In an exciting matchup scheduled for Feb. 2, Denver will face the reigning national champions, Duke University, in Kennesaw, Georgia. Duke, who is currently ranked no. 1 in the country, will provide the Pioneers with some tough competition. Last season, Denver fell to Duke twice, 10-14 and 12-15.
The Pioneers will host six games at Denver’s Peter Barton this year, kicking off the season with a match against the no. 17 Air Force Academy on Feb. 21.
On Feb. 22, Furman University from South Carolina will be the second team to travel to Denver to face the Pioneers.
In the most challenging and hyped home game of the 2015 season, Denver will host the no. 4 Notre Dame University at Peter Barton on March 7 in an epic rematch. In a 2013 season game, Notre Dame fell 10-7 to DU and is seeking vengeance. The Fighting Irish, who made it to the NCAA championship game in 2014, lost to Duke University 11-9.
Georgetown University is scheduled to take on Denver at Peter Barton on March 28. The last time Georgetown and DU met, the Pioneers were victorious, winning 17-9.
In the penultimate home game of Denver’s 2014-15 season, the Pioneers will play Villanova University. The Pioneers defeated the no. 21 Villanova 9-8 in a close overtime victory last season.
On April 18, one week before the BIG EAST Tournament begins, Denver will host Providence University for their sixth and final home game of the season. Providence lost to the Pioneers with a tough score of 14-6 last season.
The large squad of 47 players will be coached under Bill Tierney for his sixth season at DU. John Orsen, who is new to Colorado and to the Pioneer coaching staff, will be a solid addition to the men’s lacrosse family.
Orsen, coming from Marquette University, made the move to the Mile High City to take on the position of Denver’s assistant coach.
Prior assistant, Dylan Sheridan left the Pioneers earlier this fall to take a coaching position at Princeton University.
During his time at Marquette, Orsen helped get the men’s lacrosse program off the ground and to a recognizable level. Last season, Marquette made itd first BIG EAST conference semi-final appearance under Orsen’s leadership. A past student and player at Hofstra University, Orsen also won the MLL league championship with the Chesapeake Bayhawks in 2012. With years of college and professional lacrosse experience, Orsen is looking to bring strong leadership and helpful knowledge to the Pioneers.
“I have been so impressed with the great things people have said about John,” head coach Bill Tierney said. “His former coaches, employers and professional peers all comment on his positive nature and tireless work ethic. He will continue to do what Dylan Sheridan did for us, by having a strong say in what we do defensively, coaching our corps of face-off men, continuing to help us recruit young men of character and talent and developing game-day strategies. John will join Matt Brownand Trevor Tierney to make up a coaching staff of which I am most proud, and one that will continue to lead the University of Denver closer to our goal of a national championship.”
Denver has also added a new crop of 11 freshmen to their roster. The new Pioneer talent includes Trevor Baptiste, Matthew Billings, Brendan Bomberry, Jeremy Bosher, Connor Donahue, Todd Fedyck, Grant Gravitt, Matt Jones, Sean Mayle, Colton McCaffrey, Trey McGee, Liam McHugh, Nick Phillips and Joe Reid.
Returning Pioneer stars include 2014 USILA-All American seniors Wesley Berg and Erik Adamson. Sophomore Christian Burgdorf, who was a 2014 USILA- Honorable Mention All American is returning, as well, along with sophomore 2014 Inside Lacrosse Freshman of the year, Zach Miller. 2014 BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year, Ryan LaPlante, will also be playing in his final season with the Denver Pioneers.
Cannizzaro a sophomore attack transfer for the University of Maryland, will be joining his older brother, senior midfielder Sean Cannizzaro, on the field. This brotherly-duo is looking to bring some new chemistry and excitement to Denver’s team for Sean’s final season.
