#BIGEASTmlax Minute - #RumbleInTheRockies Part Deaux For BIG EAST Championship
DENVER -- BIG EAST Championship Saturday has arrived and with it the second title game in seven days played between these Denver and Marquette in Denver. First faceoff for the Championship is scheduled for 4:40 on FS2 with Patrick Reed and BIG EAST Digital Network Correspondent Cayleigh Griffin on the sidelines at Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium.
Why We’re Watching:
Marquette at Denver (4:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. MT) - There are many storylines surrounding the championship battle between the Pioneers and Golden Eagles. Seven days ago these two teams faced off at Denver’s lacrosse-only stadium for the league’s regular season title. Denver bested Marquette 14-11 for their third straight title and the No. 1 seed in the tournament. Marquette defeated Villanova 14-9 in the first semifinal en route to their first BIG EAST Championship title game, while Denver outscrored Providence 17-8 to go 6-0 on their home field and make it to their third title game in as many years.
NCAA berths are at stake as the championship winner will earn the BIG EAST’s automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament. The runner up will await their fate to be a potential at-large selection in ESPNU’s Selection Show on Sunday, May 8 at 9 p.m. Denver has an RPI of 3, while Marquette is 15 in the May 2 rankings on NCAA.com.
Denver is making its third appearance in the championship final and has been undefeated in both the conference play and the league tournament. Marquette is the “new blood” on the block, making it their first championship final.
In 2014, both Denver and Marquette joined the league. Marquette was competing in just their second year as a varsity program. The Golden Eagles went from just a thought to a BIG EAST Championship finalist and NCAA tournament hopeful.
A week ago: Tied at 6-6 at halftime, Denver scored six unanswered goals in the third period to take a 12-6 lead. In the final period, Marquette rallied with five goals to Denver’s two, but it was not enough as the Pioneers held on for a 14-11 victory and the BIG EAST regular season title. Connor Cannizzaro and Zach Miller had five points each for the Pioneers, Cannizzaro scored four goals, Miller had four assists. For the Golden Eagles, Ryan McNamara had seven points with a hat trick and four assists. Tanner Thomson and Kyran Clarke also had hat tricks for Marquette, Tyler Pace netted one for Denver.
BIG EAST Men’s Lacrosse Championship Presented by Jeep
Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium
University of Denver
Final – Saturday, May 7 (FS2)
No. 2 Marquette at No. 1 Denver (
Live Stats |
Denver Notes |
Marquette Notes)
All Times Eastern