It was another difficult series for the No. 7 Pioneers who fell to the North Dakota Fighting Hawks 4-1 and 3-1 last weekend. Bobby Brink and Brett Edwards were the lone goal-scorers in each game in a series where it seemed that UND was getting most of the puck luck. It was a tough environment and an even harder battle getting back into games with the Fighting Hawks who played with a lead all weekend. The Pioneers also took a too-many-men minor in each game, something you don’t usually see. It’s been clear that Denver hasn’t been able to play their game in the last two series, but there’s an opportunity to make up some ground before playoff time. The Pioneers host the Miami RedHawks this weekend who may take the brunt of some built-up frustration.
Category Archives: Men’s Sports
Taking Stock of DU Hockey
Just a few weeks ago, DU was riding high on an 11-game unbeaten streak. They dominated lesser opponents like CC and Miami while demonstrating their ability to play well late in games to close them out or even come back when they had to. Everything was going about as well as Denver could have wanted it to…until it wasn’t. Now, four straight losses against Minnesota Duluth and North Dakota later and with just six games left in the regular season, the Pioneers and their championship aspirations are at a crossroads. There are some hard truths that they have to face and address if they are going to get things back on track and punch their ticket to Detroit in April. Continue reading Taking Stock of DU Hockey
NCAA Moving to Allow for More Flexible Student-Athlete Transfer Rules
According to a number of news sources, the NCAA is quickly moving to change their transfer policy for student-athletes, allowing a one-time transfer process for collegiate athletes with the ability to compete the following academic year. This new policy would trump the current requirements for student-athletes transferring to a four-year NCAA school who must complete one academic year in residence at the new school before they can play for the new school unless they qualify for a transfer exception or waiver – usually financial hardship or outright waiver from the departing institution. Continue reading NCAA Moving to Allow for More Flexible Student-Athlete Transfer Rules
Centura Health Sponsorship Deal Is A Master Stroke for DU Athletics
In a somewhat low key news release this past week, the University of Denver Division of Athletics announced a new 10-year sponsorship deal with Centura Health, a large health care system located here in Colorado. But, make no mistake, this burgeoning sponsorship, called “major and substantial” by one University source, is a key victory in sustaining athletic success at DU. Continue reading Centura Health Sponsorship Deal Is A Master Stroke for DU Athletics
Pioneers’ rally falls short as Denver falls to Duke 15-13 in home opener
DENVER – It’s not usually a good thing when your opponent outscores you 7-2 in the opening quarter of a lacrosse game. It puts you in a tough spot, forcing you to abandon your gameplan early in the game just to weather the storm that you’re in. This is exactly what happened to the #8 Denver Pioneers (1-1) against the #11 Duke Blue Devils (2-1) at Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium in the Pios’ 2020 home opener. The 7-2 deficit at the end of the opening quarter was too much for the Pioneers to overcome as they eventually fell 15-13. Continue reading Pioneers’ rally falls short as Denver falls to Duke 15-13 in home opener
Denver Hockey Series Preview: North Dakota
With the Pioneers riding an 11-game unbeaten streak into the series with the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs, not many would’ve predicted Denver getting swept at home. It was an opportune moment for the Pioneers to take a strong position in the NCHC standings, but instead, they fall to a 3rd place tie with Western Michigan, each with 28 points. Head coach David Carle said that the Pioneers couldn’t match the intensity that UMD brought in the second game and they simply lost to the better team. The schedule doesn’t get any easier and no love will be lost as Denver travels to Grand Forks for a Valentine’s Weekend series with a Fighting Hawks team that is 14-1 at home this year.
New North Dakota Scoreboard Displaces Duo
You may have heard about the new massive scoreboard at the University of North Dakota’s Ralph Englestad Arena. However, the change has caused some unintended consequences.
The old scoreboard was operated by Raymond Schmidt and Dewey Olson. Both men scaled the 65-foot ladder two hours before each game and manually inserted score, time outs and shots-on-goal for the Fighting Hawks. Continue reading New North Dakota Scoreboard Displaces Duo
Men’s Hoops Moving to Hamilton Gym to Conclude Season
On Tuesday, Denver men’s basketball announced the move from Magness Arena to Hamilton Gym for the balance of the season. Hamilton Gym has a capacity of 2,000 fans – well above the current crowds for men’s basketball of 800-1,200 spectators. This venue decision applies to the remaining three games and has not been decided as a long-term option for the future of men’s hoops. Continue reading Men’s Hoops Moving to Hamilton Gym to Conclude Season
Pioneers Support Vote to Extend College Soccer Season
A new proposal discussed at recent NCAA meetings would reduce the college soccer regular-season schedule – for both the men and women – from 25 to 23 total matches but would expand the campaign across the entire school year. The first half would consist of 13 games in the fall and end around Thanksgiving before picking back up in the spring with nine more matches. In DU’s case, non-conference games would likely be held in the fall and conference matches and championships would be held in the spring. The College Cup would fall between lacrosse’s Championship Weekend which coincides with Memorial Day and baseball’s College World Series. Three exhibitions would be spread around the year, as opposed to the current setup of five meaningless exhibition games all set in the spring offseason. Continue reading Pioneers Support Vote to Extend College Soccer Season
Denver swept by Minnesota Duluth in uninspired 4-1 loss
Photo courtesy Shannon Valerio/Denver Athletics
DENVER – The #4 Denver Pioneers (17-6-5, 7-5-4-3) are a top-10 team for a reason. They have talent up and down their lineup, they have depth at every position, and their ability to play a 200-foot game of hockey is nearly unmatched. It’s for those reasons that their record is as good as it is this late in the season. But this weekend, especially in the second game of their series with the #10 Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs (15-9-2, 10-4-2-0), the Pioneers lacked those very same factors en route to losing 4-1 as the Bulldogs finished off the sweep at Magness Arena. It’s the first time the Pioneers were swept at home since St. Cloud State managed the feat in December 2015. Continue reading Denver swept by Minnesota Duluth in uninspired 4-1 loss