Game time is scheduled for 7:00 pm, or 30 minutes after the completion of an outstanding boy’s high school match-up between Colorado powerhouses Kent Denver and Cherry Creek. While Cherry Creek has won the past two state titles, Kent Denver has captured an incredible 16 overall state championships in their storied history. Rivalry is the theme of the day when Creek and Kent take the field at 5:00 pm before the Rams and Buffs square off in the night cap.

College lacrosse in Colorado had a banner year in 2006. While the University of Denver was busy qualifying for their first ever NCAA tournament appearance, the state’s two MCLA programs found themselves on top of the mountain, taking care of business in the national tournament before battling in the national title game. Colorado State won all three games against Colorado last year, including a 9-6 decision at INVESCO and an 8-7 victory for the national title. CSU won their fourth MCLA national championship last year while CU enjoyed their most successful year ever by reaching the finals.

Playing in last year’s high stakes games has only added fuel to the fire of an already contentious rivalry between the two teams and schools.

CSU head coach and Colorado Lacrosse Foundation Hall of Fame member Flip Naumburg says the CSU/CU rivalry is like nothing he experienced in his own college days. “When I was at CC way back in the day we were DU haters and rivals, but that was prep school stuff compared to this rivalry between CSU and CU,” said Naumburg.

As the two biggest collegiate institutions in the state, each school's alumni maintain a friendly resentment of each other that often lasts well past graduation. Naumburg puts it best when he says, “This goes way outside the lines.”

Outlaw GM Brian Reese is excited to bring the Showdown to INVESCO for a second year. “Last year’s game exceeded our expectations and this year should be no different. This game means a lot to both teams which makes it a great spectator event,” said Reese.

The Outlaws enjoyed an extremely successful expansion campaign in 2006, shattering MLL attendance records in all of their home games on the way to an MLL Championship Game appearance. Even though the Outlaws fell short of a title in their first season, their success on the field and in the box office foreshadows good things for the future.

“We want people to see what a great atmosphere INVESCO Field can be for lacrosse,” said Reese. “(The Showdown) acts like a kickoff to lacrosse season and hopefully gets people thinking about coming to Outlaws’ games this summer.”

The winner of the game will likely take the #2 seed for the upcoming RMLC league playoffs in Boulder on May 4th and 5th. With the loser of the game guaranteed at least the #3 seed, these teams will be playing again in two weeks. The Showdown will determine which team wears white in that second match-up.

The Colorado State Lacrosse Alumni Association will present the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse Showdown for the fourth consecutive year. Since moving the annual game from the campuses of the two universities in 2004, the Showdown has been one of the best attended events in the entire MCLA. All three events have drawn well over 2,500 fans and a second season at INVESCO Field at Mile High Stadium should help boost that number significantly.

Admission for the game will be $8 for adults and $5 for children. Children under two will be admitted for free. Tickets for the event are available for purchase at the gate or online at www.csulacrosse.com/showdown or www.ticketmaster.com. All proceeds from the event will go to the Colorado State Lacrosse Alumni Association and the University of Colorado men’s lacrosse team.

For press passes or other information, please contact Alex Smith at alex [at] rock-itpocket.com.

Game Preview by Position

Attackmen: The top two scorers in the RMLC will take the field as Colorado’s Jon Atwood and Colorado State’s Danny Stevens go head to head. Atwood is a senior for the Buffs whose 51 points have come on 36 goals and 15 assists. Stevens, also a senior, has amassed his 45 points on 15 goals and 30 assists. CU pairs senior Andrew Upah (14g, 5a) with freshman Nick Gennuso (11g, 19a) while CSU has found some major goal scoring punch in senior Brian Stone (27g, 1a), a converted midfielder who has been on the back-end of most Stevens’ assists. The Rams will feature several other players in the third spot. Look for Atwood and Stevens to control the offense for their respective teams as they face each other in their last regular season game.

Midfielders: Colorado’s midfield is led by the steady Scott Cadiz (9g, 7a), a senior whose points pale in comparison to what he means to his team. Cadiz is joined by freshman Blake Whitcomb (12g, 9a) who leads all CU midfielders in points. Tyler Wood is a face-off specialist for the Buffs who could make a major difference in the possession game. Colorado State has a strong midfield group led by senior All-America Pat Bird (17g, 9a). Bird’s cohorts include sophomore Stephen Lundberg (14g, 3a) and junior Ryan MacDonald (20g, 3a), two players enjoying break-out seasons. The Rams will trot out several players to take draws against the talented Wood.

Long Poles: Both teams lost a lot on their back lines from 2006, but it doesn’t seem to have slowed either squad down so far this season. CU’s defense is allowing just 7.07 goals against while CSU is holding opponents to 6.23, even with a 19 goal debacle against Oregon on their resume in the first game of the year. Senior long stick midfielder Cameron Dunford is one of the best in the league at his position for the Buffs and will be going head to head with CSU’s sophomore Jay Matlin and junior Tom Fender. Colorado had to replace every starting close defenseman from their 2006 championship game run, but is traditionally known as a team with a very solid defensive plan. CSU’s defense is led by seniors Adam Schnirel and Ian Wilson. Freshman Andrew Stein and junior Dylan Preble are also in the mix for the Rams.

Goaltenders: Maybe the most intriguing subplot of the 2007 Rocky Mountain Lacrosse Showdown is in the nets. In 2006, Tyson Ehinger transferred from CSU down to CU and started in goal for the Buffs, leading them all the way to the national championship game while being named to the All-Tournament team. This year, he is back in green and gold and having a great year as a junior for the Rams, saving 67% of the shots that come his way. Colorado hasn’t missed a beat with Kevin Moriarty, a sophomore who is saving shots at a 61% clip on the season. Both goalies can get hot and both can take over games at times, so look for the battle in the nets to become a game within the game.

Coaches: These teams are coached by two of the best in the entire country. CU coach John Galvin comes from terrific lacrosse pedigree and led the Buffs to their best-ever finish in 2006. In his fourth year with the squad, Galvin has provided Colorado with the stability and structure needed to take an always dangerous team to the next level. Graduating from Ohio Wesleyan in 2002, Galvin was named MCLA Coach of the Year in 2004. Colorado State is led by 11th year head man Flip Naumburg. Naumburg has become synonymous with CSU lacrosse, guiding the team to a record four MCLA National Championships and five RMLC League Titles. He was inducted into the Colorado Lacrosse Foundation Hall of Fame in 2006 and has helped shape one of the greatest programs in the nation during his tenure. Both coaches put a premium on defense, so look for this game to be decided by possession time and offensive execution.

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