Photo: University of Denver
For the last three seasons, the DU men’s lacrosse team has taken a road trip to kick off spring break week in middle of March, often when still in the midst of final exams at DU.
And all to start all three trips every year since 2015, DU has been promptly kicked in the teeth by opponents, the latest one today’s 16-7 pummeling at the hands of the 18th ranked Ohio State Buckeyes in Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.
It reminds us well of last year’s 15-10 Spring Break beat down DU suffered at the hands of lower-ranked Penn State in Dallas in 2016, and the 13-11 DU loss to the Buckeyes in Columbus back in mid-March of 2015.
This year’s spring break debacle was far worse than the other two, though. Top-ranked DU was never in this game, falling behind 5-1 in the first quarter, and trailed 11-1 in the third quarter. The Pioneers did score some fourth quarter goals in garbage time to make the final 16-7 score seem even more respectable than the game actually was. DU goalie Alex Ready gave up 16 goals and only made six saves on the day, but it wasn’t all his fault, as DU suffered defensive breakdowns and a terribly sputtering offense for most of the day.
The Pioneers travel on to Towson, Md. next weekend, and let’s hope coach Tierney can right the ship.
Most people don’t remember that North Carolina lost six games last season en route to a national championship. Denver had the best of Marquette during the regular season last year and was ranked #1. A week later Marquette easily beat Denver in Denver for the league title. It is really about peaking at the right time. Let’s just hope that this was the bottom. Other than faceoffs, DU could improve in nearly every area on today’s performance.
As Woody Hayes, (the famous Ohio State football coach who won a few games in that same stadium where DU was whupped today) would say, “Nothing cleanses the soul like a good ass-kicking.”
Today, the Pios were steamrolled and humiliated on that same field.
Time for the captains, seniors and coaches to figure out what needs to be done…
Most people don’t remember that North Carolina lost six games last season en route to a national championship. Denver had the best of Marquette during the regular season last year and was ranked #1. A week later Marquette easily beat Denver in Denver for the league title. It is really about peaking at the right time. Let’s just hope that this was the bottom. Other than faceoffs, DU could improve in nearly every area on today’s performance.
As Woody Hayes, (the famous Ohio State football coach who won a few games in that same stadium where DU was whupped today) would say, “Nothing cleanses the soul like a good ass-kicking.”
Today, the Pios were steamrolled and humiliated on that same field.
Time for the captains, seniors and coaches to figure out what needs to be done…