After fighting back to take a 7-6 lead late in the first half, the Pioneers couldn’t keep the momentum going in the second half and fell to the No. 6 Florida Gators, 18-13 on April 21. It was the last regular season home game, a game to recognize the seniors and their careers as Pioneers. Denver dropped to a 10-5 record on the season with the loss.
The Gators got an early lead 50 seconds into the game, and then extended the lead to 6-0 before Denver was able to get on the board 16:16 into the game.The first goal by junior midfielder Elizabeth Behrins (Basking Ridge, N.J.) was the catalyst for the Pioneers, as they rallied to score the next six goals in the contest. Denver took their first and only lead of the game at 7-6 with 2:14 remaining in the first half.
Denver was unable to keep the lead as Florida outscored Denver 11-6 in the half to take the victory.
The Gators outshot the Pioneers 32-28, while also having the edge in draw controls, 21-11. Denver topped Florida in caused turnovers,14-11, ground balls, 12-11 and had fewer turnovers (15) than Florida (22). In addition, the Pioneers were more successful in clears (16-for-19), including going a perfect 9-for-9 in the first half.
Junior attack Julia Feiss (Baltimore, Md.), and freshmen attack Quintin Hoch-Bullen (Severn, Ontario) and freshman attack Eliza Radochonski (Englewood, Colo.) each contributed a hat trick to lead the Pioneers in scoring, while Feiss added a team-high three assists for a game-high of six points. Junior Maddie Baum (Piedmont, Calif.) led Denver with six draw controls on the afternoon, bringing her season total to 80, just one behind a tie for second all-time in draw controls in a single-season. Behrins, junior defense Caroline Lewis (Baltimore, Md.), junior defense Audrey Schreck (Charlottesville, Va.) and senior midfielder Riley Eggeman (Mission Viejo Calif.) each picked up two ground balls, while redshirt junior Kennedy Milburn (Whitby, Ontario) led in caused turnovers with three. Sophomore goalie Carson Gregg (Severna Park, Md.) recorded 10 saves in the game.
The Pioneers will travel to Nashville on April 28 to face the Vanderbilt Commodores in its final regular season game. The Pioneers are tied for third with a 5-3 record in the BIG EAST.
