DENVER – The [20/RV] University of Denver men's lacrosse program will continue a stretch of five-straight games in the mountain time zone to open the season on Saturday when the Pioneers head to Utah on Saturday afternoon. Opening faceoff is set for 12 p.m. MT, and the game will be streamed on ESPN+.
SERIES HISTORY:
Denver has won the previous six meetings between the two programs, including a 2-0 mark in Salt Lake City. DU and Utah have played three close games in the series, decided by two goals or less. Last season, Denver improved to 2-1 in 2025 with a 10-8 win over Utah at Peter Barton.
FULL HISTORY
LAST TIME OUT:
Sophomore goalie
Grayson Manning made 14 saves to lead another highly-effective defensive performance, taking down I-25 neighbors Air Force 10-2 last Saturday at Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium.
Watt Muir netted his second-straight hat trick to start the season, and
Marek Tzagournis had a goal and four helpers for a five-point day.
FULL RECAP
2026 CAPTAINS
William G. Tierney Head Men's Lacrosse Coach
Matt Brown named four captains for his third season in charge in 2026.
Russell Overly,
Chris Caldwell,
Cody Malawsky and
Joe Taraboletti were named to the team's leadership roles this season.
Overly entered his redshirt junior season having played in 29 games and starting eight of those at close defense. The long pole picked up 29 GBs and 14 CTs entering the season.
Caldwell entered his redshirt junior campaign having played in 27 contests on the defensive end of the ball, picking up 49 GBs and forcing 23 turnovers entering the season.
Malawsky entered his redshirt junior campaign with 64 points on 40 goals and 24 assists in 29 career games.
Taraboletti is the only captain in his final season of eligibility, and entered 2026 having made 26 appearances and posting 10 points on six goals and four assists.
ON THIS DATE
Denver is 2-1 on Feb. 14 in its history
On Valentines Day in the national championship year of 2015, Connor Cannizzaro tallied eight points, Jack Bobzien had a sock trick and Trevor Baptiste won 25 faceoffs in his collegiate debut in a neutral site win over Duke in Atlanta.
DENVER'S MAN-UP D IN LAST THREE SEASONS
In 33 games since the start of the 2024 season, Denver has allowed just 15 man-up goals on opponents 76 opportunities for a man-down kill-percentage of 80.3%.
The total is the fewest man-down goals in the country since the start of 2024.
Denver's penalty kill rate is also the highest in the country over that span (80.3).
In 2025 alone, Denver ranked 11th in man-up kill percentage at 75.0%.
In Denver's 7-3 win over Georgetown on April 12, 2025 the Pios man-down unit killed off four of four penalties, and forced two shot clock violations while a man down.
DENVER'S DEFENSE OPENS SEASON WITH HISTORIC RUN
In the first two weeks of the regular season, Denver gave up just three goals, a tally to Cleveland State on January 31 and two to I-25 rival Air Force on February 7.
The stretch marked just the eighth time Denver's allowed five goals or less in consecutive games in the program's Division I history.
It also marked the first time Denver's defense has allowed three goals or less in consecutive games.
Denver's defense has finished five of six seasons under defensive coordinator
John Gallant in the top-20 nationally in scoring defense.
The Pioneers finished in the top-10 in both the 2023 (8th) and 2024 (4th) campaigns.
UP NEXT: Denver will return home next Saturday to welcome [4/4] Cornell to Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium. Opening faceoff on Midco Sports Plus and 104.3 The Fan HD3 is set for 12 p.m. MT.
TICKETS: Tickets for the 2026 season are on sale now, and can be
purchased here.
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