Denver scours country for talent
Of the four programs in the NCAA tournament semifinals, Denver may feature the most diverse roster, boasting players from 20 different states and Canada.
Junior attackman Mark Matthews, the team’s leader in points with 69 points, hails from Oshawa, Ontario, senior attackman Todd Baxter, who ranks second in goals with 31, is from Minnesota, and starting midfielders Eric Law and Chase Carraro are from Colorado and Kentucky, respectively.
“You can find a great one from anywhere,” Pioneers coach Bill Tierney said during an NCAA-organized conference call on Tuesday morning. “… Yes, we want Long Island kids, and yes, we want New York kids. But nowadays, you can get them from anywhere.”
Denver, the sixth seed in the tournament, is seeking the school’s first appearance in the title game, but to do so, the Pioneers must defeat No. 7 seed Virginia at M&T Bank Stadium on Saturday.
One key will be limiting Cavaliers junior attackman Steele Stanwick, who leads all players in the postseason with 15 points. But containing junior attackman Chris Bocklet (a team-high 41 goals) and sophomore attackman Matt White (four goals and one assist in the postseason) could also be critical.
Tierney sized up Virginia in his own unique way, saying, “You don’t stop a team like Virginia. There are guys on their bench that could start for us.”
