The No. 10 Pioneers came up short against Big East foe Villanova as spring began to appear in Colorado. This is the first home loss the Pioneers have suffered to a Big East team in regular season during the six years the Pioneers have been in the conference. Villanova’s goalkeeper played on his head during Saturday’s meeting saving 19 of the 30 shots he faced.

The first half began quickly for the Pioneers as freshman Ellis Geis (Tustin, Calif.) drew first blood for the Pioneers only 38 seconds into the game. Villanova answered with a four-goal run to end the first quarter 1-4. The second quarter saw senior Austin French (Danville, Calif.) and junior Ethan Walker (Peterborough, Ontario) both get a tally for the Pioneers to draw within one goal. Villanova was able to score two goals around sophomore Jack Hannah (Milford, Ohio) goal to go up 6-4 into the half.

Entering the second half, the Pioneers were not able to level the score as they reached within one goal seven times. Denver finished strong as they went on a four-goal run in the dying minutes of the fourth quarter; however, they were not able to tie the score as Geis’s shot rang off the Villanova keeper’s face mask for the final attempt.

Freshman Brett Boos (Parker, Colo.) continued to show promise for the Pioneers as he went 20 for 27 at the dot. The Pioneers will continue their Big East campaign as they travel to St. John’s on Apr. 13 at 11 a.m.