The men’s lacrosse team is looking to rebound from a disappointing 2006-07 season and return to the NCAA tournament. Last season DU finished 9-7 overall and 3-2 in the Great Western Lacrosse League after appearing in the NCAA tournament the season before.

Denver is currently ranked No. 20 in the U.S. Intercollegiate Lacrosse Coaches Preseason Poll and will host No. 16 Colgate this Saturday at 1:30 p.m. in Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium. Headlining this season’s home schedule includes No. 10 North Carolina on Feb. 23, Brown on March 8 and Penn on March 9. This season DU will travel to No. 18 UMBC, No. 13 Towson, No. 6 Cornell and Ohio State among others.

This season the Pioneers will be led by junior Joey Murray who recorded a team-best 43 points on 22 goals and 21 assists last year. Senior Jon Paulson will also be in the mix as he scored 26 goals and dished out five assists last season for 31 points as sophomore Ilija Gajic netted 24 goals and nine assists. Senior Brett Koll, who only played eight games last season because of an injury, will be a key veteran leader for the Pioneers this season.

Koll along with Murray and senior transfer Carlos Navarro will captain this year’s squad. Overall, Denver returns 16 players and gain an unprecedented 21 freshmen and transfers.

This season also marks new ground for DU and college lacrosse in general as the Pioneers will play two neutral site games. One will be on March 18 against No. 6 Cornell in Dallas, Texas with the other on April 5 against Notre Dame in Chicago.

There are high expectations for a talented Denver roster that has a tough schedule that will hopefully lead to a return to the NCAA tournament.