On April 22, the Denver women’s lacrosse team visited the University of Oregon to take on the Ducks. DU won the game, their final regular season match of the year, 11-9. The team improved to 8-8 overall and 5-4 in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) conference, earning a spot in the MPSF Tournament.
Denver jumped out to an early 3-1 lead, receiving goals from freshman Elizabeth Behrins (Basking Ridge, New Jersey), redshirt sophomore Nicole Martindale (Brooklin, Ontario) and senior captain Christa Reese (Lutherville, Maryland).
Although Oregon would tie the game 3-3 with 5:46 left in the first half, Denver carried a 5-3 lead into halftime due to tallies from Behrins and sophomore Riley Eggeman (Mission Viejo, California).
In the second half, DU was able to extend their lead thanks to goal-scorers Reese and Martindale, as well as two goals from freshman Kendra Lanuza (Littleton, Colorado). Lanuza scored back-to-back goals only 0:57 apart. The Pioneers held a 10-5 lead with 12:40 left to play, but Oregon was able to make the game competitive once again.
A Ducks attack player rattled off three straight goals, chopping Denver’s lead back down to two with 7:59 remaining in the match. Thankfully, the Pioneers were able to slow the pace of the game and Oregon’s momentum. The two teams traded goals as DU’s defense and goalie secured the 11-9 victory.
Goalie Maddy Stevenson (Bainbridge Island, Washington) made two crucial stops late in the game to help propel the Pioneers. She recorded seven saves on the day, sending the team to the MPSF Tournament.
“I am so incredibly impressed with the overall growth of this team. They beat a strong, well-coached Oregon team to get into the MPSF Tournament,” said head coach Liza Kelly.
Reese recorded her eighth hat-trick of the season, while Ellie Knott (Baltimore, Maryland) won a career-high 10 draws.
Denver will travel to Stanford University to participate in the MPSF Tournament on Thursday, April 28. Seeding and match-ups for the tournament have yet to be decided.
