Denver rallies to beat Villanova

DENVER — Jeremy Noble had four goals and Jamie Faus stopped 13 shots, helping Denver rally for a 13-10 victory against Villanova on Sunday in the first NCAA tournament lacrosse game played west of the Mississippi River.  The sold-out crowd of 2,575 at Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium was the largest in Denver Lacrosse history.

Winners of 11 straight, the Pioneers (14-2) play Johns Hopkins in the quarterfinals Saturday.

This was Denver’s first NCAA tourney win since joining the Division I lacrosse ranks in 1999.

The Pioneers brought in Hall of Fame coach Bill Tierney two years ago after he led Princeton to six NCAA titles. Tierney has quickly put Denver, a school known for hockey, on the lacrosse map.

Down 8-5 in the third, Denver tied it up in a 41-second span and never looked back.

Jack Rice and Will Casertano each had two goals for Villanova (11-5).