The Pioneers were able to get a big win against Marquette in the final game of the regular season where they also captured their six straight BIG EAST regular season title. The Pioneers used an 8-3 run in the final three quarters to capture the game on Friday Night.
The Pioneers had three top performers on offense. Sophomore Ted Sullivan (Tucson, Ariz.) had two goals and one assist with junior Ethan Walker (Peterborough, Ontario) and senior Austin French (Danville, Calif.) adding two goals to the scoring sheet.
Freshman duo Cole French (Danville, Calif.) and Brett Boos (Parker, Colo.) performed well for the Pioneers. French had another game in the double-digits for saves, second of his three career games. Boos continued to show promise at the faceoff dot, going 14-of-20 and scooping eight ground balls.
Marquette started off with an early 3-0 lead in the first quarter. The Pioneers almost tallied a goal behind the effort of freshman Alex Simmons (Smithville, Ontario), but the goal was waved off by the referees after an incorrect dive towards goal. However, the Pioneers were able to get on the score sheet towards the end of the first quarter with a goal from junior Schuyler Blair (Huntington Beach, Calif.). Marquette would pick up two more goals to make it a 5-1 lead going into the second quarter.
Denver was able to get within striking distance going into halftime as they used a 4-1 run in the second quarter. Senior Quinn McKone (Novato, Calif.) started the scoring for the Pioneers along with junior captain Danny Logan (Upper Arlington, Ohio) scoring on a half field shot during a Marquette 10-man ride. Walker and Sullivan would also tally goals for the Pioneers to make it 6-5 going into the locker room.
The Pioneers would get off to a hot start in the third quarter as they scored three goals with one from Walker and consecutive goals for French to give the Pioneers their first lead in the game at 8-6. Marquette would respond with two quick goals to make it 8-8, but Sullivan got the final say as he scored the game-winning goal for the Pioneers. The fourth quarter would end up being scoreless.
The Pioneers were able to clinch their sixth consecutive regular season title since joining the BIG EAST Conference. The Pioneers and the Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium will be hosting the BIG EAST tournament this week with Semi-Final games on Thursday, May 2 at 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. MST and the Championship game on May 4 at 2:30 p.m. MST. Top-seeded Denver will take on #4 Villanova as they look to avenge their first-ever regular season loss in the second semi-final game at 7 p.m. MST.
