DENVER - Freshman Erik Swanson (Glenview, Ill.) recorded a career-high six points (3 goals, 3 assists), and freshman Matt Brown (Burnaby, B.C.) tallied his fourth consecutive hat trick to lead the University of Denver men's lacrosse team to an easy 15-3 victory over Providence in the afternoon tilt of the 2002 Pioneer Face-Off Classic on Saturday afternoon (Mar. 9) at Pioneer Field. The Pioneers won their second straight contest and improve to 3-1 on the season while Providence dropped its season opener and falls to 0-1. No. 1 Syracuse (3-0) defeated Air Force (1-2) 20-8 in the opening game of the Classic.

The Friars were able to stave of Denver's attack in the opening quarter and held the Pioneer attack men to just one goal, by junior Mike Kenlay (Wilmette, Ill.), but buckled to the pressure in the second quarter and allowed nine unanswered goals. Swanson and Brown extended their scoring streaks to four games with the first of three goals on the afternoon and were complemented by sophomore Ryan Marshall (Toronto, Ontario), who recorded his first career-hat trick with three goals in the second quarter to give Denver a 9-0 lead at the half. Brown completed his hat trick with a goal midway through the third quarter that put the game out of reach for the visiting Friars.

Providence recorded two goals in the final minutes of the third quarter by Skip Dunphy and Jon Meehan but would get no closer as Denver retaliated with consecutive goals to open the fourth quarter, including the first of the season by junior Glenn Berglund (Norwalk, Conn.). David Kole was credited with the Friar's lone tally in the fourth quarter to grant the final score of 15-3.

Denver, for the second straight game, dominated every statistical category and allowed a season-low three goals against. The Pioneers out-shot Providence 47-11, out-hustled for ground balls 43-23 and controlled the face-off circle 15-7. Junior netminder Jeff Nunziato (Latham, N.Y.) pitched two shutout periods in the first half and recorded two saves in the second half. Freshman Brian Sanders (Columbus, Ohio) recorded one save in the final quarter and yielded one goal.

Denver returns to action on Sunday afternoon (Mar. 10) against No. 1 Syracuse in the weekend finale of the 2002 Pioneer Face-off Classic at 1:30 p.m. mountain time. Providence and Air Force will square off in the morning game at 11 a.m. Tickets for the event are on sale now at the Ritchie Center box office or by phone at 303-871-2336.