Denver Slows Down Albany 10-9
by J. Jude Hazard | Special to Lacrosse Magazine Online
ALBANY, N.Y. – The Denver Pioneers
withstood a late charge from No. 17 Albany on Saturday and defeated
the Great Danes, 10-9, behind three goals and two assists from
junior midfielder Charley Dickenson.
With 17 seconds left in the game, Albany attack Corey Small
launched a point blank shot in front of the pipes that threatened
to send the game into overtime, but Denver goalkeeper Peter Lowell
made his final save of the afternoon and secured the win for the
Pioneers (1-1).
“I thought I had that one,” Small said after the game.
“It was a good save.”
The win for Denver came one week after the Pioneers lost at North
Carolina, 20-7. Dickenson said on Saturday that he knew the team
was better than it showed against the No. 6 Tar Heels.
“This is a big win for us. It’s really going to give
us momentum,” Dickenson said. “Our defense really came
to play.”
The Pioneers slowed the pace in the first half and went into the
locker room with a 4-2 halftime lead. “You have to slow it
down if you’re going to win in Division I,” Denver
coach Jamie Munro said.
Albany (0-1) scored two goals in the first five minutes of the
third quarter to tie the game 4-4. The teams traded goals until
Denver pulled away to a 10-7 lead on an unassisted goal by
Dickenson with 6:32 left in the fourth quarter.
But Albany junior college transfer Dave Brock scored twice within
three minutes to cut the Denver lead to 10-9 with 3:12 left.
Small’s attempt to tie the game came after Albany Coach Scott
Marr called a timeout with 35 seconds remaining on the clock.
“We got a good shot,” Marr said. “You
can’t ask for a better opportunity.”
Denver got three goals from midfielder Joey Murray and two goals
from freshman Alex Gajic.
Albany was led by three goals from Small. Seven Great Danes posted
an assist in the game, including one by freshman Joe Resetarits,
the younger brother of former Albany standout Frank Resetarits.
Freshman John Carroll beat out Dan McKeon to start between the
pipes for the Great Danes. Carroll posted 11 saves on 21 shots in
his debut. Marr said it was a difficult decision choosing between
McKeon, a senior who had backed up Brett Queener for the last two
years, and Carroll.
“John has certainly proven through the preseason that he has
the capability to be our starting goalie,” Marr said.
“I thought he played great.”
Lowell had 13 saves on 22 shots for the Pioneers.
Albany and Denver split faceoffs at the X, with each team winning
11. The Pioneers won the battle for ground balls with 30 to
Albany’s 24. Denver Midfielder Ben Wahler led all players on
Saturday with eight ground balls.
Denver returns home to face Sacred Heart and Towson next weekend.
Albany will look to rebound against cross-town rival Siena on
Wednesday.
