After receiving its first-ever bid to the NCAA Tournament on May 5, the No. 13 Pioneer women’s lacrosse team played among the nation’s best competitors over the weekend, defeating Jacksonville 14-7 on Friday to advance to Sunday’s Sweet 16.
“We played our game,” said head coach Liza Kelly of Friday’s win. “I think we were excited to get on this big stage and show them what Denver Lacrosse is all about, and the girls came out and did just that. They prepared well for Jacksonville.”
Following Friday’s first-round victory, the Pioneers fell 16-5 to No. 4 Florida on Sunday afternoon to end a record-setting season. Finishing their 2013 campaign with an 18-3 overall record and the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) regular season title, the Pioneers also boasted the MPSF coach of the year in Kelly.
The team’s 15-game win streak, spanning March 2 through May 2, was both a DU and an MPSF record, and a number of individual players set their own records as well. Redshirt senior Kara Secora set the all-time scoring record on April 26 with 261 career points, and sophomore Jill Remenapp broke DU’s single-season scoring record with 113 points during Sunday’s action, recording a goal and an assist for the Pioneers.
“I am so proud,” said senior defender Kate Henrich of her team. “By far, this is the best team I have ever been a part of in my four years. We made history by not only getting to the NCAA Tournament, but getting to the Sweet 16. Florida is an awesome team and I wish them the best of luck. If we are going to lose, I am glad it is to them, because I can see them being the next national champions.”
The Pioneers started the weekend strong with a decisive victory over the Dolphins, led by Remenapp’s two goals, four assists and three ground balls. Utilizing hat tricks from Secora, junior Jenn Etzel and freshman Rachael McKinnon, Denver led for the entirety of the contest after jumping out to an early 3-0 lead, heading into the locker room with a five-goal cushion at 7-2.
Senior Mikayla Clark was also a major contributor in Friday’s game, recording one goal, one assist and four caused turnovers to aid the Pioneers in their victory, while junior Meredith Harris posted two goals as well. Clark’s and Harris’ efforts helped DU to outshoot the Dolphins 13-4 in the first half, in addition to a dominating 9-2 advantage in draw controls.
“We knew it was going to be a hard game, because they’re very well coached and a very talented team, but I think we came out ready for them,” said Kelly.
Sunday, an overwhelming first half sent DU into the locker room trailing the nation’s fourth-best team 12-1 at halftime. Despite a strong performance in the second half, the Pioneers were unable to overcome the deficit.
“I think we were a little shell-shocked on defense,” said Kelly. “I don’t think we were doing the things we typically do, causing a lot of turnovers. We were playing a little tentatively. We weren’t sending the slides we usually send, doubling down and giving Hannah [Hook] the shots she can usually save. In the second half, we started doing that. We made some better double-teams, coming up with some checks and ground balls. We made it a 4-4 game in the second half.”
Remenapp, Etzel, Clark, McKinnon and junior Annabelle Gilbride each recorded a goal in the Pioneers’ efforts, while Secora added a pair of assists. Defensively, Henrich tallied an impressive five ground balls and four caused turnovers. As of May 6, Henrich is leading the nation with 65 caused turnovers, averaging 3.42 per game.
In goal, redshirt sophomore Hannah Hook recorded 17 saves between the two contests, increasing her season total to 190 saves—the third most in program history.
“I think Florida was hands down the best team we have played all season,” said Kelly. “Walking into a big stage against a good opponent, I wish it hadn’t taken 30 minutes to calm down a little bit. We just needed to recognize it’s just lacrosse and we can play the game.”
