After a season of record-breaking and blow-out wins, the Pioneer women’s lacrosse team fell short in earning a berth into the 16-team NCAA tournament.
In the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation title game Sunday, the Pioneers, the No. 1 seed in the tournament, were upset by No. 3 Stanford University, eliminating their chances of an automatic invitation to the NCAA tournament. Then, after DU was left out of the tournament bracket, released Monday, their blistering season came to an end.
The Pioneers, just as in their come-from-behind, semifinal win over the University of California, trailed early 6-4 after the first half, despite senior midfielder and MPSF Player of the Year Kristie Leggio picking up points on all four goals.
Stanford then began the second half by scoring four straight goals to stretch its lead to 10-4.
However, Leggio and the rest of the Pioneers wouldn’t end their championship hopes that easily. Leggio netted four more goals, while assisting on another, as the Pioneers scored seven of the next nine goals of the game to trail by one at 12-11 with just over one minute left.
The Pioneers could not finish off the comeback, failing to net the tying goal in the last minute, eventually losing 12-11. Leggio finished the game with nine points, on six goals and three assists.
“We mounted a comeback at the end, which was unbelievable but we didn’t do it fast enough,” said Head Coach Liza Kelly. “Six good minutes is not going to win you a ball game.”
With the loss, the Pioneers were unable to gain an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament, which is given out to teams that win their conference tournaments.
This puts an end to a season that is regarded as one of the best in school history. The Pioneers climbed to as high as No. 14 in the national rankings and finished the season 16-3.
“Even though we ended on a loss, it can’t take anything away from what the team has accomplished this year,” said Kelly.
The NCAA women’s lacrosse tournament will take place May 25 and 27 at the University of Pennsylvania’s Franklin Field.
