The brisk and windy afternoon of April 18 was not only reminiscent of a typical autumn day in Colorado, but also of a team that just recently began its fall ball season. Sticks were a little rusty. Passing and catching wasn’t quite up to par. Players weren’t quite familiar with the offense. The game didn’t show the kind of crispness often times associated with mid-March lacrosse, where teams are supposed to be hitting their stride going into the NCAA Tournament.
And it certainly isn’t something you would expect from the fifth-ranked team in the nation.
No. 5 Denver never truly looked comfortable in an unimpressive 13-9 win over Providence College. The Friars have not yet won a game in the Big East Conference, while this was the fourth Big East win for the Pioneers.
The Pioneers found themselves in a hole early, down 2-0, and would not score until the 13:46 mark of the second quarter.
Denver was down 5-3 at the end of two quarters, and gave up a goal with seven seconds to go in the first half.
Sure, I understand the notion, even the delight, of the upset. And yes, when you’re no. 5 in the nation, teams can inexplicably rise to the occasion and pull off the upset.
But, come on, Pios.
Providence lost soundly to fellow Big East opponent St. John’s University 17-7, a team that Denver walloped 18-5. Georgetown University also beat Providence 9-6. Likewise, the Pioneers smoked the Georgetown Hoyas 19-7.
The soft performance seemed even more inexplicable when you take a closer look. It was Senior Day at Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium—the last regular season game that seniors would step on the field sporting crimson and gold. In other words, there was added incentive to make the game memorable, in order to send the seniors off in style.
Thankfully the Pioneers have one of the top (if not the top) FOGO (faceoff, get off) guy in the nation in freshman Trevor Baptiste (Denville, New Jersey), who went a nearly-impeccable 22-of-24 from the faceoff x. If Baptiste didn’t keep providing the Denver offense with more possessions, the headlines might’ve been saying something else.
Both senior Wes Berg (Coquitlam, British Columbia) and sophomore Connor Cannizzaro (Cazenovia, New York) started to turn the tide for the Pioneers in the third quarter, combining four of the five consecutive goals to start the second half, which helped the Pioneers reclaim an 8-5 lead.
Berg looked every bit the Tewaaraton Award candidate and school record-holder in points and goals that he is, dishing out two assists and scoring three goals.
Denver will face Marquette University on April 25 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This is the last season game for the Pioneers before the Big East Tournament begins on April 30.
