The Denver Pioneer men’s lacrosse team opened its 2008 regular season play with a brilliant 15-5 win over No. 16 ranked Colgate University Raiders.

The game was a fast paced physical game right from the get go. The opening face-off left four players on the ground with the Pioneers taking the worst of it, receiving a 1 minute man down penalty.

The penalty quickly led to a 1-0 lead for the Raiders. The first five minutes saw riveting play with big hits, shattering sticks and heads of sticks flying all around the field. Not much finesse graced the field for the firsts five minutes of the season where nerves were high and players needed a few minutes to acclimate to the 2008 season.

The Pioneers seemed to be very lethargic and unsure of their ability in the first half of the first quarter until the team found its stride eight minutes into the game and jumped all over the Raiders with seven consecutive unanswered goals. Senior attackman no. 12, Brett Koll lead the attack with the first two goals of the Pioneers’ season.

With a 7-2 lead right before the half, a quick cut to the crease by no. 44 freshman midfielder. Jamie Lincoln, allowed him to score on a catch and shoot around his back, leaving the Colgate goalie baffled. Lincoln contributed four goals along with no. 27 junior attackman, Cliff Smith, who led the Pioneer attack with five goals.

With the 8-2 lead at halftime, the Pioneers had complete control of the game with a 23-6 shots on goal advantage.

The second half of the game was not much different than the first, with Denver controlling the tempo and dictating to the Raiders the speed and skill level at which the game was going to be played.

The game finished up with a solid Pioneer win of 15-5 and shots on goal advantage of 37-11.

This was a great win and will surely give confidence to a young Pioneer team. With a great fan turn out and support from the students, Barton Stadium will hopefully produce a formidable home field advantage to the pioneers this upcoming spring season.