Villanova, Pa. - The No. 16 Villanova men’s lacrosse team dropped a close game to No. 4 Denver by a final of 12-11. The Pioneer’s jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the opening minute by the Wildcats answered back scoring two goals of their own; one by Christian Cuccinello and the other by Devin McNamara. Denver then took the lead back scoring the final three goals of the first quarter to have a 5-2 lead. The Pioneer’s Connor Cannizzaro scored his first of six goals to start Denver’s three goal run. Again the Pioneer’s scored a goal in the opening minute of the half but Jake Froccaro found his brother Joey for a Wildcat goal to make the score 6-3. Cannizzaro scored his second goal right after but the Wildcats finished the half on a three goal run. Jake Froccaro started the run off, Danny Sibel’s goal at the seven minute mark was assisted by Jack Curran, and the last goal by Curran was on a pass inside from Sean Cerrone made the score 7-6 Denver at the half. Nick Testa got his second start in goal this season for the Wildcats; he played the first 30 minutes and finished with three saves. Denver’s Cannizzaro scored all three goals that were scored during the third quarter to give the Pioneer’s a 10-6 lead. Villanova fought back in the fourth quarter, Jake Froccaro scored the first two goals of the fourth quarter both on passes from Jack Curran to being the Wildcats within two. Next it was Cerrone and Seibel who scored goals for Villanova to tie the game up at 10. Cuccinello rebounded a save that was deflected by Denver’s goal and put the ball into the back of the net to give Villanova their first lead of the game with 6:38 left to play. Denver tied the game up at 11 just a couple minutes later on a goal by Zach Miller. Seconds later on a successful faceoff the Pioneer’s drove the ball straight down and passed it to Cannizzaro who scored the last goal of the game to give Denver their 12-11 lead. Dan Willis played the final 30 minutes in goal for Villanova and got the loss. He finished with nine saves and one ground ball. John Moderski had a team high eight ground balls while Joey Froccaro went 8-15 on the X today for Villanova. Villanova returns to action next Saturday April 16th at Villanova Stadium against fellow BIG EAST school Georgetown. Game time is slated for 5 P.M.