Beginning their 2015 season with a 2-1 overall record and 1-0 in conference, Denver’s women’s lacrosse team is posed for another successful year.
Currently ranked no. 21 in the nation by LaxPower.com, the Pioneers began their season on Feb. 7 with a loss to the no. 12 Syracuse University, 18-10.
Redshirt freshman Nicole Martindale (Brooklin, Ontario) and senior Colorado native Kiki Boone (Cherry Hills, Colorado) both earned three points each, but it was not enough to pull the Pioneers to victory. As a redshirt player, Martindale is at sophomore standing academically, but is in her first year of athletic eligibility.
Playing the University of Colorado Boulder Buffs on Feb. 11, Denver was able to start their Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) season with a 10-6 win.
With strong defense and and just enough effort from the offense, Denver began conference play with an important win that will hopefully help them defend their MPSF conference title.
Junior Emily Conway (Darien, Connecticut) scored her first goal as a Pioneer against the Buffs, and, for the second game in a row, Martindale recorded a hat trick.
Although textbook lacrosse was not played between the Pioneers and the Buffs, as 77 combined fouls were recorded between the teams, Denver was still able to earn the victory.
The following week, Denver travelled to Nashville, Tennessee to face Vanderbilt University on Feb. 23.
The no. 29 Vanderbilt Commodores were not able to keep pace with the Pioneers, with the final score ending 13-9 in Denver’s favor.
Boone scored her second hat trick of the season and fellow senior Jill Remenapp (Woodbine, Maryland) added two assists to her season total of five.
At half, Denver was leading the Commodores 7-4. Redshirt senior Hannah Hook (Arnold, Maryland) recorded seven saves.
Ending in victory, Denver defeated Vanderbilt 13-9.
The Pioneers opened their home season at the Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium against the University of Louisville in on Feb. 28. A back and forth game, Denver was not able to win on their home turf, falling 14-9.
The loss ended a 12 game winning streak at Peter Barton, which will take time for the Pioneers to achieve again.
Louisville’s defense locked off tight on Denver’s attack players, forcing the Pioneers to take risky shots, which lead to turnovers and missed goal opportunities.
Pioneer senior Remenapp carried the team offensively, scoring four goals and two assists.
Remanapp now tallies eight goals and nine assists so far this season.
Defensively, Denver fought hard to hold off Louisville, with senior Ali Proehl (San Diego, California) and senior Rachael Dillon (Mount Sinai, New York) forcing six turnovers to send the ball back to offense.
The seniors battled throughout both halves to try to secure the team victory, but their valiant efforts were still not enough.
Denver will host the no. 62 Boston University in Peter Barton Stadium on March 11 at 7 p.m.
