In an early season matchup featuring two nationally ranked teams, No. 13 Roanoke scored the final two goals sending No. 15 Denison to an 8-7 defeat at Kerr Stadium in Salem, Va.

The two teams entered the fourth quarter tied 6-6.  The Maroons won the faceoff to start the quarter but a turnover by Brendan Devane resulted in a fast break opportunity for Denison that was finished off by Owen Armstrong off a feed from Nick Bortolani.

Over the next five minutes of play, Denison took three shots, hitting the post on back-to-back attempts from James Meager and Jake Waxter.  Waxter's shot marked the fifth time in the match that Denison put a shot off of the iron.

With just under eight minutes remaining, Roanoke's Matthew Linter scored his fifth goal of the season via an assist from Joey Dishaw.  After dominating possession throughout the first quarter, Denison struggled to gain possession throughout the fourth.  That proved costly as Roanoke's Iv Stucker went low with 6:47 to play, giving his team an 8-7 lead.

Denison managed to keep it a one-goal game and with 2:45 left, Armstrong put a shot on cage that was saved by Maroon goalie Burke McManus.  With 1:16 to play, Denison defenseman John Reinhardt stick checked Kevin Jackson near midfield and secured the loose ball.  The Big Red called a timeout to draw up a play in an attempt to tie the game.

With just under a minute to play, Jamie McCahan's shot was saved by McManus but DU forced a turnover on the Roanoke clear thanks to a check by Ben Duhoski.  DU regained possession with 11 seconds left and with four seconds remaining, Meager uncorked a last gasp attempt that sailed wide and to the right, setting the final at 8-7.

Six players accounted for Denison's seven goals as Meager led the way with two goals and one assist.  Bortolani (1g,1a), Blair Farinholt (1g,1a), Armstrong (1g,1a), Waxter (1g) and Will Donohue (1g) rounded out the scoring.

The Big Red held a 43-34 advantage in shots but were just 1-for-6 in man-up situations.  Denison's lone man-up goal came from Bortolani in the second quarter off a pass from Farinholt.

Reinhardt led the defense with three caused turnovers. He also added three ground balls.  Eric Baumgardner was 9-for-18 when facing off. He tied with Bortolani for the team lead in ground balls with five.  DU goalie Chris Thomas finished with four saves while playing all 60 minutes.

Stucker led the Maroons (2-0) with two goals while McManus and Ian Davies combined for 14 saves in the cage.

The Big Red will return to action on Sunday, Feb. 28 when they host Berry at 1 p.m. inside Piper Stadium.