Men's Lacrosse, Men's Sports

Pioneers win defensive struggle over Towson on the road, continue to build postseason resume

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Photo credit: Towson Athletics

It’s never too early to start thinking about the postseason and NCAA Tournament in collegiate men’s lacrosse. The season is so short that every win and loss matters more than in almost any other sport. For the #13 Denver Pioneers, a team that has lacked a signature, resume-building win this season, a matchup with the #8 Towson Tigers in Maryland presented a golden opportunity. Denver seized that opportunity won a close, defensive game 7-6 and added a key victory to their resume.

Towson was ranked as high as #1 earlier this season and will no doubt be a major national factor over the last month and a half of the regular season. After a tough loss against Notre Dame in California two weeks ago, this win for the Pioneers, punctuated by eight saves by Alex Ready and 20 Towson turnovers, was important to get them back on track.

As well as both defenses played, Ted Sullivan was able to find his offensive touch tallying a hat trick and an assist on 10 shots. Even star attackman Ethan Walker was only able to notch a single goal on seven shots. At the X, freshman FOGO Brett Boos only went 5-for-17 but Denver’s stifling transition defense and great wing play mitigated the effects of 12 lost faceoffs. Maryland transfer D Matt Neufeldt led the way on that front grabbing a game-high five ground balls.

Denver plays Princeton in New Jersey on Tuesday before returning home next weekend to open BIG EAST play against Georgetown. The BIG EAST is projected to be fairly weak this year. Had Denver lacked this type of signature win over Towson, it would have been very difficult for the Pioneers to make the NCAA Tournament without winning the BIG EAST, something they have not done since winning the national title in 2015. This win, of course, does not guarantee the Pioneers will make The Dance without a conference title but it absolutely helps.

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