Denver’s defense blanked the Hoyas in both the first and fourth quarters in a wire-to-wire victory in the nation’s capital
WASHINGTON D.C. – The [RV/RV] University of Denver men’s lacrosse team’s defense turned in another 60-minute showing against a nationally-ranked opponent in the Pioneers 7-3 win at [13/13] Georgetown on Saturday afternoon at Cooper Field.
Malcolm Kleban made five of his 11 saves in the first quarter to allow his defensive personnel in-front of his to settle in the game. The best man-down defense in the previous two seasons killed off four penalties on the road, forcing two shot clock violations on those possessions.
Noah Manning had another big day in a nationally-ranked win, scoring four goals and adding an assist to play a role in five of Denver’s seven tallies. Captain Jimmy Freehill had three ground balls and a caused turnover to lead a Denver defense that held a Georgetown team that was averaging 11.4 goals per game to just three.
POSTGAME NOTES:
- Denver improves to 10-7 in the series, following up a five-game losing streak in the series with now back-to-back victories.
- The Pioneers senior class picked up victory number 40 against just 19 career losses.
- Denver’s man-up defense has killed off 56 of its last 66 penalties in the last two seasons, the fewest man-down goals and best percentage in the country since the start of the 2024 campaign.
- The Pios improved to 80-93 against ranked opponents in their Division I history.
- Denver held an opponent to three goals or less for the first time since holding Providence to three goals on the road on April 23, 2022.
- The Pios held a ranked opponent to three goals or less for the first time since holding No. 20 Providence to two tallies on April 22, 2017.
- Denver’s three goals allowed against a nationally-ranked opponent away from home is its lowest total in program history.
- Noah Manning completed his hat trick in the first half on Saturday, his sixth of the season and the 14th of his career.
- Entering as the nation’s third-highest scoring midfielder in the country, Mic Kelly extended his point streak to 17 (34-12-46) and his goal streak to 12-straight games (27-8-35).
- Malcolm Kleban reached double digit saves for the seventh time this season and the 20th time in his career.
- Kleban’s 11 saves moved him within two of Jack Thompson’s career total for fifth in Denver’s career record book.
- Kleban’s 27th career win ties him with All-American goalie Jamie Faus for third on Denver’s career wins list.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
First Quarter:
Noah Manning opened the scoring with 7:32 to go in the first quarter on a set play late in the shot clock off the sideline to net his 25th of the campaign. Exactly two minutes later, Marek Tzagournis hit Manning down the right alley to setup his second of the opening quarter, giving the Pioneers a 2-0 lead through 15 minutes of play.
Second Quarter:
Georgetown got on the board on its first possession of the second frame, courtesy of Kevin Miller’s 15th of the season. After a Denver defensive stop on a Georgetown transition attempt, Mic Kelly took it right back the other way and netted his 27th of the season to restore the two-goal advantage with 10:31 to go.
With under four minutes to play before the intermission, Denver’s man-down defense forced a Georgetown shot clock violation to keep the advantage. Holding for the last shot before the break, Denver ran a set-play late in the shot clock again and Manning beat the horn with his hat trick goal to send the Pios into the locker room with a three-goal advantage.
Third Quarter:
Georgetown trimmed the Denver lead to two with 11:46 to go in the third off Aidan Carroll’s first of two goals in the frame. Lucas Klokiw ripped a high-to-low blast to make it to three, but Carroll’s second with 39 seconds to go sent the teams into the final 15 minutes with Denver holding a 5-3 advantage.
Fourth Quarter:
Denver got the first two of the fourth quarter to extend its lead to four for the first time on Saturday evening. Manning netted his fourth off a feed from Kelly with 14:12 to go to make it 6-3 and Cody Malawsky bounced a 10-yard shot just underneath the crossbar for his first of the day and his 14th of the season off a Manning assist to make it 7-3 heading to the media timeout with 7:32 to go.
The Denver defense stood tall and the Pioneers offense was able to drain the clock to get DU over the finish line with a four-goal win.
UP NEXT:
Denver will return home for Senior Saturday next weekend when the Pioneers welcome Providence to Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium. Opening faceoff on CBS Sports Network and 104.3 The Fan HD3 is set for 3 p.m. MT. The game is the second half of a men’s and women’s double header as the DU women host Butler on Saturday at 11 a.m. MT. One ticket is good for both games.