No. 8 Denison scored the first 14 goals of the game as they cruised to a 17-3 win over visiting DePauw University in the Big Red's North Coast Athletic Conference opener.

Eleven different players accounted for the Big Red's 17 goals as Nick Bortolani led the team with three goals and one assist.  Before DePauw even took its first shot of the game midway through the second quarter, Denison held a 9-0 lead. 

The Big Red won 9-of-13 faceoffs in the first half while forcing the Tigers into 15 turnovers in the first 30 minutes of play.  The DU defense was led by current National Player of the Week Teddy Sawyer (four ground balls, one caused turnover), Thomas Farrell (five ground balls, two caused turnovers), Ben Duhoski (three ground balls, two caused turnovers) and short-stick defensive midfielders Josh Happ and Brian Miller (two caused turnovers each).

While Bortolani led the offense with four points, Blair Farinholt and Liam Rooney followed with two goals and one assist, apiece.  Alex Paulus and Will Donohue also scored twice.

Eric Baumgardner was 9-for-13 when facing off.  He tied for the team lead with five ground balls.  Chris Thomas got the start in goal and played the first half, making one save.  Clark Bullington recorded one save in the second half in relief of Thomas.

DePauw got two goals from Andrew Wright.  Joe Musto played 45 minutes in goal and finished with eight saves.

Denison outshot DePauw, 44-17 while holding a decisive 43-22 advantage in ground balls.  Denison scored in its only man-up situation. The Tigers were 1-for-3 in extra man.

Denison improves to 7-1 overall and 1-0 in the NCAC while DePauw falls to 3-3 and 0-2 in conference play.  The Big Red will return to the field next Saturday when they travel to Springfield for a 3 p.m. faceoff against Wittenberg University.