Lacrosse Drops Physical Contest in Home Opener

Saturday, February 14

Salt Lake City, Utah

12:00 PM

University of Utah

1-2

Denver

3-0

Denver

Utah

Photo by: Anna Fuder/Utah Athletics

2/14/2026 3:40 PM | Lacrosse

Box Score Photo Gallery

Fourth quarter goals the difference as Utes fall 8-7 to Denver

SALT LAKE CITY – The University of Utah lacrosse team battled in a physical game against the Denver Pioneers where neither side could truly grab the momentum inside Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday, ultimately falling 8-7.

The Utes (1-2) held a one-goal advantage at the half and at the end of the third quarter, but Denver (3-0) scored two unanswered goals in the fourth to nab its only lead of the game. Utah held the ball last, and Will Overly ripped a shot on net with one second left on the clock, but it was turned away.

Utah outshot the Pioneers, 49-28, and held a 26-17 edge in shots on goal, but Denver made 19 saves to ward off the Utes' offensive attack. Utah also held a 12-6 advantage in the faceoff circle.

GAME LEADERS
Cade Faulkner led the Utah offense with his second hat trick of the season, pacing the Utah attack with 10 shots, while Ryan Stines scored twice on nine shots. Zachary White added two points himself on a pair of assists.

Tyler Kloeckl dominated on faceoffs, winning 11 of his 16 tries. He led the Utes with four ground balls, while Colin Lenskold added three ground balls and two caused turnovers to go with his nine saves in the cage. Conner Flanagan paced the defense with three caused turnovers.

FIRST QUARTER BREAKDOWN
For the first time this season, Utah was able to putpoints on the scoreboard first. Just 31 seconds into the game, Faulkner put the Utes on top with his fifth score of the season. Luke McNamara made it a 2-0 game a few minutes later after taking a feed from Nikko DiPonio, set up by a save by Lenskold.

Denver scored to make it 2-1 with 7:15 to play, but Stines answered with a quick goal after taking a pass from White. The Utes forced three turnovers in the final five minutes of the frame to hold its 3-1 lead.

SECOND QUARTER BREAKDOWN
Denver was able to tie the game at 3-3 with a pair of goals to open the second quarter. Faulkner added his second of the day – aided by the second assist of the game from White – to put Utah back up by one with 7:42 left. Lenskold made three saves before the halftime whistle blew to keep the Utes in front, but Utah was also unable to tack on another goal.

??LET'S GO CADE??

??ESPN+#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/zZwvzdZQ2Q
— Utah Lacrosse (@UtahLacrosse) February 14, 2026

THIRD QUARTER BREAKDOWN

Make that a HAT TRICK for CADE FAULKNER ????

??ESPN+#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/Mf2K8XDJRP
— Utah Lacrosse (@UtahLacrosse) February 14, 2026

Faulkner capped his hat trick with his final goal of the afternoon just after play resumed, giving Utah a 5-3 lead. Denver answered with a score, but Stines added one himself 30 seconds later to make it 6-4 with 11:34 left.

Stines beats traffic for the score??

??ESPN+#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/Y6n9AiuHMJ
— Utah Lacrosse (@UtahLacrosse) February 14, 2026

Denver scored again to cut the lead back down to one, but after Lenskold forced a turnover, Karson Sparks found space around the net and buried his first of the season, putting Utah up 7-5 with 8:34 left.

Denver scored with 7:29 left in the frame, the last goal of the third period. Both teams upped the defensive pressure for the rest of the quarter, combining for three caused turnovers and five saves.

Turning up the intensity heading into the fourth ??

??ESPN+ #GoUtes pic.twitter.com/gDN52u8kTn
— Utah Lacrosse (@UtahLacrosse) February 14, 2026

FOURTH QUARTER BREAKDOWN
Denver tied the game with 13:19 left to play and took the lead with 3:03 remaining. Overly had a pair of shots saved in the final two minutes.

UP NEXT
Utah hits the road once again, hitting the field next against Merrimack on Saturday, Feb. 21. The game is slated to begin at 10 a.m. MT with coverage on ESPN+.

STAY CONNECTED
Fans can follow along on social media (X: @UTAHLacrosse | Instagram: @utahlacrosse), and the official mobile app of Utah Athletics, Utah360 -- download here.