Under legendary coach Bill Tierney, the University of Denver men’s lacrosse team continues to blaze new trails.
By easily defeating Ohio State 11-6 on Saturday at Invesco Field at Mile High, the sixth-ranked Pioneers improved to 9-2 — their best record through 11 games since the program became Division I in 1999.
“We’re growing. We’re talking about this team, this year, doing some special things,” said Tierney, the second-year DU coach who led Princeton to six NCAA championships from 1992 to 2001. “One of the things we’ve been doing lately is (just) outscoring people, and today I thought at both ends we played (well). . . . It was one of our best overall performances at both ends of the field.”
DU (4-0 Eastern College Athletic Conference) extended its winning streak to six games behind the dominating faceoff work of sophomore midfielder Chase Carraro, excellent goaltending from freshman Jamie Faus and typical prowess in the offensive box.
Carraro won 14-of-20 faceoffs and tied midfielder Cameron Flint with a team-high three goals. Faus made 12 saves, and attackmen Mark Matthews and Todd Baxter had two goals apiece.
DU never trailed and led 10-3 late in the third quarter.
“Chase Carraro won a ton of faceoffs, and when you’ve got the ball and the other team is playing zone, you’re going to have a lot of possession time,” Tierney said.
Carraro’s three unassisted goals came off faceoff wins.
“When we start getting on those rolls where we’re scoring goals, that pumps me up,” Carraro said.
Ohio State (6-6, 1-2 ECAC) was led by second-line midfielder Brock Sorensen, who had two goals. DU bettered the Buckeyes in total shots (36-31) faceoffs (21-15) and groundballs (39-21).
The Pioneers led 5-3 at halftime and blew the game open with five consecutive goals to begin the second half. Baxter scored 28 seconds into the game, and midfielder Jeremy Noble made it 2-0 at the 1:10 mark. Ohio State got the game’s next two goals, but DU scored the ensuing three, the latter two by Matthews.
DU visits Bellarmine next Saturday before concluding the regular season against Fairfield on April 30 at home.
The Pioneers, who already are in excellent position to make their second consecutive appearance in the 16-team NCAA Tournament, will host the ECAC Tournament at Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium on May 5-7.
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
