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April 28, 2003
Charlottesville, Va. – The Virginia men’s lacrosse team hosts the Denver Pioneers in the final regular season game of the season Monday night at 7 pm at Kl?ckner Stadium.
The gates open at 6 pm. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for youth and senior citizens. UVa students are admitted free with valid UVa ID.
The game represents the final regular season home game for 11 Cavalier seniors-D Ryan Binder, D Ned Bowen, D David Burman, M Andrew Faraone, M Billy Glading, M/A Derrick Preuss, M Chris Rotelli, M A.J. Shannon, A Hatcher Snead, M Calvin Sullivan and LSM Trey Whitty. During their careers this group has won two ACC championships, compiled a 41-15 overall record, earned bids to the NCAA Tournament every year and advanced to two final fours.
Both teams come into this game on a roll. The Cavaliers have won their last five games, including an 11-10 win over Penn State Saturday afternoon, and are 10-2 overall. A win over Denver would mark the Cavaliers’ longest winning streak since they won eight games in a row last season.
Virginia has a little bit of history on its side for this game. The Cavaliers haven’t lost in April to a non-conference opponent in more than 10 years. Their last loss in April to a non-ACC team was a 7-6 overtime loss at Hofstra on April 17, 1993. You have to go back more than a decade for the last time UVa has lost at home in April to a non-conference team. That last occurred on April 30, 1988 when the Cavaliers fell to Loyola 13-7 at Scott Stadium. Virginia has never lost in April to a non-conference team at Kl?ckner Stadium.
Denver is 8-4 overall this season and 3-1 in the GWLL. The Pioneers are coming off a convincing 16-9 win at Fairfield Saturday afternoon. Their biggest win this season was 7-6 upset of #14 Ohio State on April 20. Their four losses have been by a combined 10 goals, including a one-goal loss (9-8) to Notre Dame.
The Pioneers are coached by Jamie Munro, in his fifth season at the helm. He played collegiately at Brown as an attackman for current UVa coach Dom Starsia and garnered All-Ivy League honors from 1987-89. He capped his collegiate career by earning All-America status in 1989.
The Pioneers have one of the most balanced teams in the country. In fact they are one of only three teams to rank in the top 10 nationally in offense and defense. They average 12.08 goals per game, fourth in the country. Matt Brown and Scott Davidson have both scored 20 goals and lead eight players with at least 10 goals. Led by goalie Jeff Nunziato, Denver is eighth nationally with a 7.42 goals allowed average.
The teams have several opponents in common, as Denver could (humorously) be considered a contender for the ACC crown. The Pioneers have lost to Duke (11-8) and North Carolina (10-6). They also lost to the other common opponent, Notre Dame (9-8).
The teams have met one time previously. The Cavaliers gained a 15-5 win over the Pioneers during spring break two years ago. Virginia broke a 2-all first quarter tie with an eight-goal run over the next 30 minutes to pull away. Billy Glading scored two goals and had an assist to lead returning Cavaliers that day. A.J. Shannon scored twice, while Chris Rotelli had a goal and three assists, a career high until several weeks ago. Justin Mullen scored his second career goal and goalie Tillman Johnson registered 12 saves.
Virginia takes the upcoming week off for final exams and will await an anticipated bid to the NCAA Tournament. Bids to the national championships will be announced on Sunday (May 4) on ESPNEWS at 8 pm (EDT). ESPNEWS is located on DirecTV channel 207/DishNetwork channel 142.