At first glance, Georgetown looked like the team ready to cement its status as a national power. Ranked fourth in the latest Nike/US Lacrosse Division I Men’s Top 20, the Hoyas had yet to be truly tested this spring.

Then came a trip to Denver, one that was pushed back from this weekend due to snowy weather.

The Hoyas came out firing, scoring the first goal less than a minute in when Jake Carraway scored his 20th tally of the season. TJ Haley then assisted Declan McDermott just 34 seconds after that for an early two-goal advantage.

Then the Pios came roaring back.

Denver scored seven straight goals between the first and second quarters and held on from there in a 13-7 win against its Big East rival. Jack Hannah led the way with four goals, three of which came during that 7-0 spurt.

Jack Hannah scorchin’ corners

He scores 4G and @DU_MLAX tops @HoyasMLacrosse 13-7 in a Big East battle. pic.twitter.com/xWBmWmxw0Q

— US Lacrosse Magazine (@USLacrosseMag) March 16, 2021

This was the first time in series history that Georgetown entered as the higher ranked team, though the ninth-ranked Pios have certainly made a case to leap over Georgetown in Monday’s update.

Georgetown (4-1) actually outshot Denver 46-39, but Denver (6-2) put more on cage (25-19). Otherwise, most statistical categories were essentially even. Each team made 12 saves. Each team failed four clears. Denver won the faceoff battle, but only 13-11.

Speaking of the faceoff situation, Denver has thrived with Alec Stathakis — but things are about to get a lot more interesting. TD Ierlan confirmed to US Lacrosse Magazine on Monday that he has been accepted at Denver, and he said he’ll be eligible to play Sunday against Villanova.

Ierlan, who has never taken a faceoff out of the standing neutral grip, is statistically one of the best faceoff men in NCAA history. His presence immediately elevates a faceoff group that already ranked among the nation’s best, though it’s unclear how much he’ll play for the Pios right away.