PROVIDENCE, R.I. (March 25) - The University of Denver withstood a late Providence College rally and held on for an 8-7 victory in men's lacrosse action this afternoon. The Pioneers (6-2) have now bounced back from a two-game losing streak by winning two straight while the Friars (5-1) suffered their first loss of the season.

Denver opened up a 5-2 first-half lead thanks to three goals by junior Mike Law and a pair of tallies by Geoff Bieging. The Pioneers also stifled the Friars offensively, allowing just six Providence shots in the game's first 30 minutes. Denver expanded its lead to 8-4 after three quarters on markers by Bieging, Chad Wittman and McAdory Lipscomb then watched as the Friars went on a 3-0 fourth-period run sparked by a pair of Ken Leahy goals. Leahy brought Providence to within one at 4:32 of the final frame but Denver managed to control the action the rest of the way.

Law led the Pioneers offensively with one assist to go along with his three goals. Bieging, who also recorded three goals, was the only other Denver player to pick up more than two points on the day. Leahy (two goals, three assists) and teammate Chris Houston (four goals, one assist) shared the game's scoring honors. Denver goaltender Brian Berger made five saves to earn his fifth win of the season. Providence's Brian McCarthy stopped 14 shots.

The Pioneers return to action on Sunday, April 2 when travel to Dartmouth.

GAME SUMMARYDenver       2  3  3  0 -- 8Providence   1  1  2  3 -- 7Denver goals:  Bieging 3, Law 3, Wittman, Lipscomb.Denver assists:  Law, Wittman, Kris Ferreri, Mike Kenlay.Providence goals:  Houston 4, Leahy 2, Heo.Providence assists:  Leahy 3, Jeff Merklinger, Houston.Denver saves:  Berger  3-0-2-0--5Providence saves:  McCarthy  4-5-4-1--14