DENVER – The 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 welcome I-25 rivals Air Force to Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium. Opening faceoff is set for 12 p.m. MT, and the game will be streamed live on Midco Sports Plus and 104.3 the Fan HD3.  
 
SERIES HISTORY:
Denver is 26-3 against Air Force since Denver joined Division I in the 1999 campaign, including 14-1 in the Mile High City. The Pioneers have won 17 of the last 18 meetings between the two teams. A season ago, Denver defeated Air Force 14-8 in Colorado Springs.
 
DENVER SHOOTS OUT OF THE GATES WITH 19-GOAL WIN VS. CSU
The Pioneers opened the season with a 20-1 win over Cleveland State on January 31.
Denver's 20 goals tied for the third-most in the history of Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium, and the 15 assists tied for the second most in stadium history.
DU's 19-goal margin of victory was its most since defeating Sienna 23-3 on March 3, 2003.
Denver's 8-goal first quarter was its most since scoring 8 in the third quarter against Canisius on February 27, 2022.
The Pioneers goal tally was its most in a first quarter since scoring 12 against St. John's on April 24, 2021.
DU's win was its fewest goals allowed since shutting out Canisius 12-0 on February 26, 2017.
Denver has allowed one goal or less is now five games in its Division I history (2/26/17 vs. Canisius, 4/17/09 vs. Detroit, 3/22/00 at Wagner)
DU improved to 2-0 in games played in the month of January in its history (2021 vs. Utah).
 
SPREADING THE WEALTH
Denver has had 10 different players score goals in a game in 25 of Denver's wins since the start of 2015.
Since Matt Brown was named a full time assistant in 2008, the Pioneers have had 10 or more players score goals in a game 32 times.
Denver had 12 different players score goals in the Pioneers 2026 season-opening win over Cleveland State on January 31.
The Pioneers have had five different players score at least two goals 23 times since the start of the 2014 season, including in the 2024 NCAA First Round against Michigan (2026: 1 | 2024: 3 | 2021: 3 | 2020: 0 | 2019: 2 | 2018: 2 | 2017: 5 | 2016: 1 | 2015: 4 | 2014: 2).
Denver had 16 different players record a point in the Pioneers win over Cleveland State on January 31.
Denver's 12 different goal scorers in the opener is the Pioneers most since April 16, 2022 against St. John's (12).
 
A GAME OF RUNS
Denver has had 32 runs of 10-1 or better in games since the start of the 2010 season, a 13-0 run in Denver's 18-5 win over Marist on February 28 and a 12-1 run over then [7/8] Duke. 
Denver's 18-0 run to open the season against Cleveland State is the program's largest in its Division I history.
 
DEFENDING THE LACROSSE CAPITAL OF THE WEST
129-30 since Peter Barton was built in 2005
63 sellouts, including five in 2014, 2015 and 2018, eight in 2016 and 10 in 2017.
Denver has finished in the top-10 in the country in average attendance in each of the last 10 seasons (excluding 2021 due to COVID-19).
The Pios have finished in the top-5 three times, fourth in the shortened 2020 season, fifth in the 2015 National Championship season and fifth in the 2023 campaign.
Denver has had at least one sellout in every season since 2011 (14 straight).
Denver vs. Yale on March 10, 2024, drew 3,037, the second-biggest crowd in the history of PBLS. Denver vs. Cornell on February 24, 2024 drew 3,025, now the third-biggest crowd.
Denver and Michigan in the 2024 NCAA First Round drew 2,965, the fifth largest crowd in the stadium's history, and the stadium's largest for an NCAA Tournament game.
 
MATT BROWN IN THIRD SEASON IN CHARGE OF ALMA MATER
On April 19, 2023 long-time associate head coach Matt Brown was named the next William G. Tierney Head Men's Lacrosse Coach, following Tierney's retirement announcement to take effect after the 2023 season.
In his 14 seasons under Tierney, Brown served as the offensive coordinator. Under his guidance, the Pioneers' offense was consistently ranked within the top -10 in scoring offense, ranking as high as No. 3. Brown helped the Pioneers to make it to the NCAA Tournament 11 times under Tierney.
Brown first joined the staff as a volunteer assistant under Jamie Munro in 2007. When Tierney replaced Munro before 2010, Tierney and his son Trevor hired Matt Brown as the offensive coordinator.
Outside of NCAA lacrosse, Brown is one of the founders and directors of Denver Elite Lacrosse and directs the Denver Elite Box Lacrosse Program, which is a founding member of the USBOXLA. USBOXLA began the Colorado Collegiate Box Lacrosse League (CCBLL) in the Summer of 2017, which has led to the creation of six leagues nationally.
Brown serves as the head coach for the Canadian National Lacrosse team, a tenure that started as the offensive coordinator in 2012.
As a student-athlete, Brown was a four-year starter for the Pioneers from 2002-05. While at DU, Brown played 56 games and accumulated 137 points and 113 goals, and after being passed by JJ Sillstrop in the NCAA First Round on May 11, 2024 sits sixth on the career goals chart.
In his first year as the head coach, Brown led the Pioneers to a 13-4 campaign and the first trip to Championship Weekend since 2017.   
 
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.
 
DENVER'S 2026 STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE
Denver was listed as receiving votes in this year's Inside Lacrosse Preseason Media Poll.
After playing Cleveland State and Air Force, Denver will take on eight-straight opponents that were in the preseason media poll.
Denver will have home games against preseason No. 3 Syracuse (March 16), No. 4 Cornell (Feb. 21), No. 5 Georgetown (March 28) and No. 20 Michigan (Feb. 28)
The Pioneers will play road games at preseason No. 10 Ohio State (March 12), No. 11 Duke (March 22), RV Villanova (April 4) and RV Utah (Feb. 14).
 
ON THIS DATE
Denver is 0-1 on Feb. 7 in its history, falling to No. 4 North Carolina in 2021.
Jack Hannah had four goals and an assist in the loss.
 
#PROPIOS - NLL
Denver had 14 #ProPios named to National Lacrosse League opening day rosters in November.
Denver had eight former players combine for 34 assists in week 10 of the NLL season last weekend.
Mark Matthews had an 11-point night for Toronto and moved into the top-10 in NLL history in carer assists.
Jack Hannah had two goals and seven assists in Colorado's 20-9 win over two-time defending champion Buffalo last Saturday.
 
DENVER'S MAN-UP D IN LAST TWO SEASONS
In 31 games since the start of the 2024 season, Denver has allowed just 15 man-up goals on opponents 73 opportunities for a man-down kill-percentage of 79.5%.
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 (79.5).
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.
 
MALAWSKY NAMED TO BIG EAST PRESEASON TEAM
Cody Malawsky was named to the 2026 BIG EAST Preseason Team.
Malawsky was named to the 2025 Tewaaraton Award Watch List and the BIG EAST Second Team a season ago.
Malawsky started in 12 games last year, totaling 32 points for the second consecutive year on 18 goals and 14 assists.
 
UP NEXT: Denver will hit the road for the first time in 2026 next weekend when the Pioneers travel to Utah. Opening faceoff is set for 1 p.m. MT, and the game will be streamed live on ESPN+.
 
TICKETS: Tickets for the 2026 season are on sale now, and can be purchased here.
 
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