Watch Out for Denver Lacrosse in 2025
10/28/2024 11:21 AM
Watch Out for Denver Lacrosse in 2025
The Denver men's lacrosse team looks poised to be a major threat in 2025. After a surprisingly strong season in 2024, the Pioneers seem ready to build off their success for years to come. With key players, an elite coaching staff, and a potentially solid schedule, they have all the pieces in place. The flashes of greatness Denver showed last season are likely to be amplified this upcoming year and opponents should definitely be on alert when they see Denver on their schedule.
The coaching transition in 2024 was a pivotal moment for Denver lacrosse. Losing a legendary coach like Bill Tierney was a huge change, considering his long-time influence on the program. Tierney had been Denver's head coach since 2009, racking up a 167-59 record and going 69-8 in conference play. Under his leadership, Denver reached multiple Championship Weekend appearances, including a national championship in 2015. When it came time to find his replacement, Matt Brown was the clear choice. Brown had already been part of the Denver coaching staff before Tierney's arrival and had stayed on as offensive coordinator for 14 seasons. During that time, he built one of the nation's top-scoring offenses, often ranking in the top 10 and even reaching as high as third. His commitment to the program, combined with his offensive success, made him the natural fit to take over as head coach.
Many people anticipated a slower year in 2024, with Brown stepping into such big shoes. Instead, Denver came out firing, kicking off their season with a statement road win over Johns Hopkins in early February, beating them out in overtime. This win set the tone as few had viewed Denver as a top-tier threat prior to this point. They followed this up with wins over teams like Air Force, Utah, and a significant victory over highly ranked Cornell. They hit a tough stretch with close losses to a top 20 Yale team and a top-five Duke squad but bounced back to defeat Ohio State, Villanova, and Georgetown before the Big East tournament. Denver narrowly lost to Villanova by one in the conference tournament but still managed to make waves in the NCAA tournament. They handled Michigan with a solid 16-11 win and went on to topple a top-five Syracuse team, securing a 10-8 victory in a game they controlled from start to finish. Ultimately, they fell to rival Notre Dame, arguably one of the best teams in recent history, during Championship Weekend. Still, reaching Championship Weekend in Brown's first season is no small feat.
What was especially impressive about Denver's 2024 season was how they excelled on both sides of the ball. Although Brown is known as an offensive-minded coach, it was the defense that really shined, allowing only 9.4 goals per game, the fourth-best in the country. Their man-down unit led the nation, holding opponents to just a 15% success rate. Time and time again, Denver's defense kept them in the game even during offensive slumps, although slumps were rare, with Denver scoring on 46.5% of their possessions, placing them 10th nationally. For a first-year head coach, especially one taking over from a legend, building a team with this level of balance is an impressive achievement. Brown's 2024 season was the first time he truly had the reins, and he made it clear that Denver lacrosse was in good hands.
Looking to 2025, the Pioneers have a few gaps to fill due to a sizable graduating class, particularly on offense. They'll miss the contributions of players like Michael Lambert and JJ Sillstrop, who led the team in points. But they're hardly starting from scratch. Key players like Cody Malawsky, Noah Manning, and Kelly Mic will return, bringing with them a combined 86 points from last season. And Denver's offense has never been solely reliant on individual talent—it's built on a strong, versatile scheme that keeps producing results. Brown's offensive mind will make the most of the roster he has. Defensively, they're in an even better position, with minimal losses outside of their starting goalkeeper. The Denver defense should continue to strengthen and could very well be a top-five unit this season. Given Brown's success in year one, it's likely the Pioneers will start attracting even higher-level recruits.
What Matt Brown achieved in just one year is nothing short of impressive. With both the offense and defense performing at such a high level, Denver's run to Championship Weekend was no fluke. They may have lost a bit of offensive talent, but their defensive core remains intact, and recruiting will only get easier as Denver keeps winning. This team is set up for dominance in college lacrosse for years to come. They're primed to continue their reign over the Big East, and multiple Championship Weekend appearances are well within reach. While we don't yet know their 2025 schedule, any team facing Denver should be on high alert. They've proven they can hold their own in the Big East and pull off upsets against top-tier out-of-conference opponents. Playing the Denver lacrosse program this season might feel like a death wish for out-of-conference teams, as the Pioneers have shown they can compete with anyone in the country.
