JJ Seaward, Beat Writer Denver University
Lacrosse is Awesome
For the first round of the NCAA Tournament, the No. 5 ranked University of Denver Pioneers would play host to the Air Force Falcons. The Pioneers used their home field advantage and came away victorious over the Falcons with a final score of 17-10. A number of players would play the role of difference maker for the Pioneers, as six players would have a multiple point afternoon.
The Falcons would get the first goal of the game, as Matthew Schwartz would wire a shot into the back of the net. Shortly thereafter, the Pioneers would score three goals of their own to gain the 3-1 lead over the Air Force, the first coming from Max Planning; and two from Austin French. Air Force would score the last goal of the quarter, to cut into the Pioneers lead, putting the game 4-2 at the end of the opening quarter.
Denver would get things started once again in the second quarter, as Connor Donahue and Jeremy Bosher would score to extend the Pioneers lead, with the Falcons getting one of their own in return. The Pioneers would get the last laugh before halftime, as Ethan Walker would fire a shot into the back of the net to give the Pioneers the lead 6-3 going into halftime.
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The Pioneers got things started off right where they left it at the end of the first half. To start the third, Trevor Baptiste would convert with two goals of his own; and Connor Cannizzaro would notch another on the afternoon to increase Denver’s lead. Later in the third, the Falcons would get one off Grant Gould wiring a shot past Denver goalie Alex Ready. Only a few minutes following the Falcons goal, the Pioneers would reach double digits as Walker would find the back of the net, putting the Pioneers up 10-4. Shortly after, the Falcons would gain some momentum with two goals of their own. But the momentum would not last long for Air Force, as the Pioneers would score two goals a couple minutes apart off 
Cannizzaro and Donahue to give Denver the 12-6 lead. The Falcons would score very late in the third, but the Pioneers would close out the third as Colton Jackson would send a shot between the pipes with only 42 seconds remaining on the clock to put the Pioneers up 13-7 going into the final frame.
The Pioneers would continue their momentum into the final quarter of the game, as they would convert on three goals from three different Pioneers to go to 16-7 midway through the final quarter. Air Force tried to make a comeback bid, as they would outscore the Pioneers 3-1 in the last four minutes of the game. However, it would ultimately be the Pioneers who would walk away with the victory. Final Score: DU 17—Air Force 10.
The Pioneers get ready to face the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Saturday May 20, in the second round of the NCAA DI Tournament. The game is set to start at 12:30 MT, and will be televised on ESPNU.
JJ Seaward, Beat Writer Denver University
Lacrosse is Awesome