The No. 6 Denver Pioneers advanced to the semifinals of the 2011 NCAA Lacrosse Tournament with a 14-9 victory over the No. 3 Johns Hopkins Blue Jays in a Saturday quarterfinals match. It was the Pioneers' game for most of the day.
After allowing the first goal, the Pioneers finished the first quarter with a 3-1 lead and extended it to 7-3 at halftime. However, in the third quarter Hopkins made a fight of it, making good use of the faceoffs to accumulate four goals then. The Pioneers countered with four of their own goals and turned things back in their favor over the final five minutes of the third quarter. Denver then outscored the Blue Jays, 3-2, in the final period for the 14-9 victory.
The Pioneers were patient in their possessions, avoiding forced shots and working the ball around the field. This led to three goals each for Cameron Flint and Todd Baxter. Jeremy Noble had two goals and assisted on three others. Freshman goaltender Jamie Faus made just eight saves on 17, but many of them were crucial in preventing a shift in momentum to Hopkins.
The Pioneers will play No. 7 Virginia on Saturday, May 28 for a chance at the championship game.
Please visit College Crosse for more on the 2011 NCAA Lacrosse Tournament.