The Denver Pioneers won its first game of the season by defeating the Michigan Wolverines, 17-5, at Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Pioneers started off the season last week with a 10-9 loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Southwest Grill Classic in Jacksonville, Fla. before having its home opener this weekend as part of the DU Face-Off Classic.
Denver was quite the favorite to win this game since the Wolverines are in their first season as a Division I lacrosse program, moving up from a successful club-level squad. The 12-goal differential, them, is not surprising.
Eric Law was the start of the game for the Pioneers, recording four goals and one assists. He had the hat trick completed near the start of the second quarter. Mark Matthews and Alex Demopoulos each scored a hat trick as well. Cameron Flint, Jeremy Noble and Kyle Hercher each put in a goal, too. Four bench players added a goal, including rookie attackers Eric Adamson Sean Cannizarro.
Current ECAC rookie of the week Wes Berg had an assist. Senior goalkeeper Troy Orzech drew the start, allowed all five goals and made two saves. Erik Carter played four minutes in relief of Orzech, Michigan was able to muster just 13 shots against the goalies, but the Pioneers were all over Dylan Westerhold for 43 shots.
No Michigan starter recorded a goal. Doug Bryant scored twice.
The Pioneers will be back on the field on Sunday to host Robert Morris, which beat Air Force, 17-14, to start the Classic.
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