Box Score DENVER, Colo. – A stellar defensive effort overcame faceoff issues to give Argo lacrosse a win in its first game of the season, defeating the University of Colorado-Denver 10-8. UGF used a 4-1 third quarter to erase a one-goal deficit at the half, to give the team its first season opening win in program history.
 
"The kids, especially the seniors are pumped about starting the season with a win," UGF Head Coach Fred Boekel said. "I'm excited for those guys because they have worked hard to build the program over the last few years."
 
From the opening faceoff the Argos were at a disadvantage. The Lynx's faceoff man was dominant until an injury forced him off the field in the fourth quarter.  
 
Despite being at an automatic disadvantage in terms of possessions, UGF managed to take a 4-3 lead late in the second quarter. That was mostly due to a stifling Argo defense that was particularly strong in settled situations.
 
The Linx offense largely relied on the play of an NAIA Division I dropdown at attack, but UGF unveiled its own ringer, sophomore Chase Clark, who first started his collegiate career at NCAA Division I University of Maryland – Baltimore County.
 
Clark shut down the talented attacker, allowing him to score just 2 goals.
 
"I think that really frustrated their offense," Boekel said. "We get out and pressure which is a big change from last year when we were more of a sit back defense. This year we can get out and pressure more and that gets us in the passing lanes and creates turnovers."
 
Despite 29 and half minute of solid defending in the first half, a 30 second window in the second quarter meant a 5-4 UCD lead at the midpoint of the game.
 
UGF responded in the second quarter. A slew of caused turnovers from the Argo defense, gave the team's offense a chance and the unit responded. UGF outscored UCD 4-1 in the third quarter and then won 2 of 4 faceoffs in the fourth quarter to hang on to the lead in the fourth.
 
While Clark's presence made a big difference on defense, sophomore goaltender Jeremy Smith was just as crucial. Smith spent most of 2016 splitting time with senior Sal Principe, but he played every minute of the season opener and it may have been the best performance of his career.
 
"He had a spectacular game. That was big time for us," Boekel said. "A guy who was a longtime assistant for me when I was coaching high school came up to me after the game and said 'man, that's a really good goalie you've got there.'"
 
While the defense was the star of the game, UGF's attack showed promise as well. The team was a bit of a one man show in terms of scoring in 2016, but an influx of talent changed that in the 2017 season opener. The team's 10 goals came from four different players, including 8 goals from freshmen.
Freshman attack Connor Gilbert and midfielder Dante Duran each scored 4 goals in their collegiate action. The other big change was ball movement with 6 of the team's 10 goals coming with assists attached.
 
UGF's 2016 scoring leader Joshua Smith had 1 goal, and sophomore midfielder Kobe Johnson scored the 1 goal.
 
"Last year our offense relied a lot on Josh Smith to be a 6 or 7 goal scorer a game," Boekel said. "Today we had two freshmen score 4 goals. That was really encouraging."
 
UGF starts the season 1-0 for the first time in program history. They will a little over 24 hours of rest before playing Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado at 7 p.m. on March 6.