March 24, 2007

Box Score

HAMDEN, Conn. - Senior Brandon Barcus (Dublin, Ohio) scored four points as the University of Denver men's lacrosse team opened its Great Western Lacrosse League season dropping Quinnipiac, 10-9, at the Quinnipiac Lacrosse and Field Hockey Field in Hamden, Conn., on Saturday afternoon.

DU (5-4, 1-0 GWLL) led 10-6 late in the third quarter before the Bobcats (3-3, 0-1 GWLL) scored three unanswered goals to close within one at the 13:59 mark in the fourth quarter. Solid Denver defense and two huge saves by sophomore Austin Konkel (Aurora, Colo.) in the final period helped ward off Quinnipiac's run at spoiling the Pioneers' GWLL season opener.

"It was a hard fought win," DU head coach Jamie Munro said. "Anytime you can get a league win on the road it is a good win."

Konkel, starting in goal for the first time this season, recorded nine saves on the day. Junior Jon Paulson (Flemington, N.J.) recorded two goals and one assist, while sophomore Joey Murray (Denver) added two goals.

The Pioneers led the Bobcats in shots, 37 to 33, and ground balls, 35 to 31. DU converted 1-of-2 extra man opportunities, while Quinnipiac converted 1-of-4.

The Pioneers return home to face Harvard on Saturday, March 31, at 7:30 p.m. The game can be seen on FSN Rocky Mountain and followed on www.denverpioneers.com.