The Pioneers established an early lead over Villanova, scoring 18 goals in the first half in a game that saw senior Trevor Baptiste (Denville, N.J.) win a career-best 27 face-offs. Sophomore attack Ethan Walker (Peterborough, Ontario) also had a career-high game when he scored eight goals and one assist, bringing him to nine points. Walker was the first Denver player in five years to score eight times, the last one being Wesley Berg (Coquitlam, B.C.) in the first round of the 2012 NCAA tournament.
Denver began scoring in the first minute of the match when freshman Ted Sullivan (Tucson, Ariz.) scored off an assist from junior Austin French (Danville, Calif.). Senior Joe Reid (Petaluma, Calif.) scored the second goal for the Pioneers shortly after, off an assist from junior Colton Jackson (Highlands Ranch, Colo.). Although Villanova was able to tie up the game, Denver went on a six-goal scoring streak in which Walker scored three times. Walker has had a hat trick in the first half of a game in at least three games this year. The other three goals were scored by Sullivan, French and red-shirt senior, Connor Flynn (Charlotte, N.C.). Although Villanova scored one more time, Walker responded with a goal off an assist from Jackson, leaving the score at 9-3 in the first period.
Denver started the scoring in the second period with Sullivan, followed by a goal from Walker. Other Pioneers that scored in this period included senior Zach Runberg (Centennial, Colo.), Baptiste, Reid, French (who scored twice) and Walker (who scored three times).
In the third quarter, Sullivan, senior Colton McCaffrey (Parker, Colo.) and Walker scored. In the fourth and final quarter, Danny Logan (Upper Arlington, Ohio) was the final Denver scorer, scoring an unassisted goal to bring the final score to 22-6.
This was a career-high game for several Pioneers. Sullivan had a career-high four goals, Jackson had a career-high three assists and Runberg tallied a career-high seven ground balls. This game was the 19th time since the 2014 season, and the first time in 2017 season that Denver had three different players pick up hat tricks.
The Pioneers play again on April 14 against St. John’s at 12 p.m. at Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium. The game will be broadcast on Altitude TV and ESPN Denver 1600.
