Pioneers Close Out 2007 with Win over Quakers
Senior co-captain Ryan Zordani records three points in DU’s win

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – Led by senior Ryan Zordani’s (Littleton, Colo.) three points, the University of Denver men’s lacrosse team held off the University of Pennsylvania on Saturday afternoon to win its final game of 2007, 8-5.

“Beating Penn is a good way to wrap-up the season,” said head coach Jamie Munro. “The season didn’t go quiet the way we expected, but to win a non-conference road game against a perennial Ivy League power like Penn is a good way to finish 2007 and get ready for 2008.”

The Quakers (6-7) got on the board first but DU answered with unassisted goals by senior Brad Patterson (Allentown, Pa.), freshman Ilija Gajic (Burnaby, B.C.) and sophomore Joey Murray (Denver), to give the Pioneers a 3-1 lead.

In the second quarter junior Jon Paulson (Flemington, N.J.), on an assist from Zordani, put DU up 4-1. Penn answered to pull within two at the break.

Leading 4-2 to start the third quarter, Zordani’s unassisted goal stretched DU’s lead back to three. The Quakers rattled off two unanswered goals to pull within one of the Pioneers, but Murray scored his second goal of the game to give DU a two-goal cushion.

Penn began the fourth quarter with a goal to pull within one but Paulson’s second goal of the game gave DU back a two-goal lead. Freshman John Dickenson (Dallas, Texas) converted on a man-up opportunity for his lone goal of the game, as DU went on to win. Dickenson’s man-up goal was the Pioneers’ 24th of the season, a new single-season school record in extra man opportunities.

Senior goalie Jeb Hollingsworth (Darien, Conn.) had 13 saves in the game.

DU finished 2007 with a 9-7 overall and 4-2 in the Great Western Lacrosse League, third-place in the league. GWLL awards will be announced on Thursday, May 10.