WHO: Denver Pioneers and Duke Blue Devils
WHERE: Durham, N. Carolina
WHEN: Saturday, February 15, 11 am
Denver Pioneers
The Pioneers were a force of tanks rolling over Air Force 14-8 in their season opener. Now, they travel to the eastern seaboard to face a traditionally top-notch lacrosse program: Duke.
Ranked No. 4, Denver experienced a surge of offensive power and defensive solidity, contributing to an all-around victory. However, Air Force is not in a similar caliber lacrosse to Duke, and the Pioneers definitely have a challenge ahead.
Look for the Denver offense to be rotating the ball but struggling to create cutting/assisting opportunities within the Duke defense. The Pioneer defense will need to step up the pressure against the Blue Devils offense if they hope to gain ball possession time within the game.
Duke Blue Devils
Likewise, Duke is coming off a season-opener victory against Jacksonville. Senior redshirt defensemen Dionne returned from military service and physical injury for the first time in almost six years.
Duke will have a solid defense, but the offense is what should be a focal point.
Though they are a high powered, net ripping team, unless applied pressure they will not do anything with the ball. It’s a win-win for Duke, and a challenge to the opposing defense. Either Duke controls possession time and opportunities, or they are pressured in which case they maneuver around the opponent into open space.
Prediction:
Both teams opening their seasons 1-0. Both victories against smaller programs (in comparison). Both teams predicted to have high expectations in 2014.
Duke: 12 Denver: 11
