UAlbany lacrosse to face off against Denver in NCAAs

PHOTOGRAPHER: Peter R. Barber

UA's TD Ierlan, who leads the nation is faceoff percentage, to go against Denver's Trevor Baptiste, considered the best ever.

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ALBANY — Its next opponent is set.

The University at Albany men’s lacrosse team will play Denver in next Saturday’s NCAA tournament quarterfinals at James M. Shuart Stadium in Hempstead.

Game time is still to be determined; it will be either noon or 2:30 p.m., and air on ESPNU.

Connor Fields was doubtful to play Saturday.

But he played … and @connorfields14 scored a game-high 7 points as @UAlbanyMLax rolled to an 18-9 @NCAALAX tournament win.

Via @dgazette: https://t.co/VA5g7bu7gT pic.twitter.com/ZR4SDy5Eu5

— Michael Kelly (@ByMichaelKelly) May 13, 2018

The matchup between UAlbany and Denver will feature a showdown between the nation’s two best faceoff specialists. UAlbany sophomore TD Ierlan leads the nation in faceoff winning percentage this season, while Denver senior Trevor Baptiste — the No. 1 pick in this year’s Major League Lacrosse draft — is widely considered the greatest faceoff specialist in NCAA men’s lacrosse history.

As a sophomore, Ierlan has produced the greatest statistical season for a faceoff specialist in the sport’s history. He has won 83.4 percent of his faceoffs and collected 14.1 ground balls per game, both marks which would set new single-season NCAA records. Ierlan already owns the NCAA single-season record for total ground balls with 240.

How the Danes became great: An extended look at the rise of @UAlbanyMLax, by @ByMichaelKelly #NCAALAX https://t.co/FMR8WNloZi pic.twitter.com/SnjJSUiW0T

— Daily Gazette Sports (@dgazettesports) May 11, 2018

Baptiste has won 76.5 percent of his faceoffs this season, which ranks No. 2 behind Ierlan. In his career, Baptiste — a repeat Tewaaraton finalist — has won more faceoffs than any player in NCAA history.

No. 2 UAlbany advanced to the quarterfinals with an 18-9 win against Richmond. The Great Danes received seven points from senior Connor Fields, while freshman Tehoka Nanticoke added six.

Dominant @td_ierlan leads @UAlbanyMLax into #NCAALAX tournament https://t.co/euI3iDX2V5 pic.twitter.com/PihsyvVAW4

— Daily Gazette Sports (@dgazettesports) May 8, 2018

Unseeded Denver upset No. 7 Notre Dame Sunday, advancing to the quarterfinals with a 9-7 win.

UAlbany and Denver last met on May 11, 2013, in the NCAA first round in Colorado. Denver won 19-14.

All-time, UAlbany is 0-4 in NCAA quarterfinal games.

Reach Michael Kelly at [email protected] or @ByMichaelKelly on Twitter.