Feb. 25, 2005

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The University of North Carolina men's lacrosse team will open its 2005 season Saturday when the Tar Heels play host to the University of Denver Pioneers on the grassy turf of Fetzer Field. First faceoff is set for 1 p.m. The game will be the first of 12 regular-season contests for the Tar Heels of Head Coach John Haus before the 2005 Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament.

UNC was 10-5 last season and the Tar Heels return 31 letter winners and eight players with significant starting experience. Denver is also an experienced side as the Pioneers, coached by Jamie Munro, visit Chapel Hill with a team that includes 29 lettermen from 2004 and seven starters back. The Pioneers were 8-6 last season.

Saturday's game will be the only home game for North Carolina in the first four games of the season. The Tar Heels will follow the matchup with the Pioneers by playing at 2004 NCAA runnerup Navy on March 5, then facing Notre Dame in the inaugural First 4 doubleheader in Carson, Calif., on March 12, and then playing at Hofstra on March 16. UNC will return home to meet Duke in the ACC opener for Carolina on March 19.

Denver is embarking on a two-match East Coast road trip. The Pioneers will also play at Virginia on February 28 at 3 p.m.

No U.S. Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association coaches poll has yet been issued. UNC is No. 5 is the preseason Lacrosse Magazine poll and No. 7 in the preseason Inside Lacrosse / Face-Off Magazine poll. Denver rated No. 17 in the Lacrosse Magazine poll and No. 24 in the Inside Lacrosse / Face-Off Magazine ranking.

Carolina returns its top four scorers from last season -- attackmen Jed Prossner, Mike McCall and Ryan Blair as well as midfielder Bryant Will. Two honorable mention All-Americas from 2004, close defenseman Stephen McElduff and goalkeeper Paul Spellman will lead UNC on the opposite end of the field.

The Tar Heels will be seeking their first back-to-back bids to the NCAA Tournament this season since the 1995 and 1996 teams earned invitations.