WHO: Canisius at Denver
WHERE: Denver, CO
WHEN: Sunday February 23 1:30 pm MT
DENVER
Having a balanced start to the season, the Pioneers won their season opener at Air Force. Then, in the second week traveled to Durham, N.C. and lost to Duke.
For starters, they opened their season with two road games. Come this weekend, Denver will finally open their home crowd to the 2014 season.
Air Force is a talented, athletic team. Duke is much better and more seasoned. They’ve been around since lacrosse’s beginning.
When the Pioneers open the gates of Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium it will be against the Golden Griffins.
Denver has stayed consistent in their first two appearances with shots (30, 33), ground balls (20, 24), and face offs (11, 9).
Pioneers lacrosse is an offensive overload style, constantly pressuring defenses, taking shots and maintaining a strong presence. This will be critical in their match up against the Griffins.
However, Denver does need to improve on their face offs. In both games this season, they won less than half the opportunities. Face offs can be a crucial aspect of creating offensive momentum and fast breaks.
CANISIUS
The Golden Griffins have one game of the 2014 season under their belts. They upended Boston U. by 300 percent, winning 9-3.
They averaged the same amount shots and face off wins as Denver did in their first appearance. The Griffins also scooped up more ground balls (31). As my lacrosse coach always used to reiterate, “Games can be won with ground balls being won.”
Canisius sits in Buffalo, NY and, therefore, leaves the cold weather aside as a factor.
They also play in a lacrosse-heavy location of the US and bordering Canada, bringing in more possibilities of players and coaches.
Boston U. was a better measure of Canisius’ abilities than Duke was in measuring Denver. The midwest players were traveling out of their time zone to play a traditionally strong program. Canisius, on the other hand, played an evenly matched opponent for their season opener.
PREDICTION
Duke being traditional and talented does not mean Denver is ill-prepared. They’ll be playing in home elements against a team that can bring a lot to the table.
Denver’s head coach has been perceived as an offensive genius. I expect to see the Pioneers exploit the Griffins’ defense with solid offensive execution.
Denver 16 Canisius 11
