The No. 23 ranked Denver Pioneers Women’s Lacrosse team put up a strong fight against No. 2 ranked Maryland, ultimately falling 15-4 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Pioneers came into the game after a 19-10 win against No. 17, High Point.
Maryland kept Denver off the board until the last few minutes of the first half, with freshman Eliza Radochonski (Englewood, Colo.) scoring the first Denver goal at eight minutes with an assist from senior Caitlin Derry (Seal Beach, Calif.). Her goal was followed up by a free position goal from BIG EAST Co-Freshman of the Year, Quintin Hoch-Bullen (Severn, Ontario).
In the second half, Denver scored twice more at 23:23 and 21:34. The first goal came from Radochonski, with an assist from Hoch-Bullen, while the second goal was a free position goal from sophomore Laura Milleker (Severna Park, Md.).
The Pioneer defense held Maryland to just four goals in the first half, a score that tied the lowest total in a half for Maryland. Sophomore goalkeeper Carson Gregg (Severna Park, Md.) was instrumental in the defense, saving six shots that she faced in the first period, holding Maryland to seven goals on 15 free position opportunities.
BIG EAST All-Tournament Team junior draw specialist Maddie Baum (Piedmont, Calif.) had a game-high six draw controls, helping the Pioneers take the lead with draw controls at 11-10. Redshirt junior defense Kennedy Milburn (Whitby, Ontario), senior midfielder Riley Eggeman (Mission Viejo, Calif.) and redshirt junior Katherine Fischer (Upper Nyack, N.Y.) tied the team high for ground balls, with three ground balls each. BIG EAST All-Tournament Team junior midfielder Elizabeth Behrins (Basking Ridge, N.J.) led Denver with two caused turnovers.
The Pioneers finished the season with a 13-7 record, reaching the NCAA Tournament for the first team in four years. This is the third time that Denver has reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Pioneers will look to return most of its key members for the 2018-2019 season, losing seniors Derry, Hannah Bocklet (Cross River, N.Y.), Katy Miele (Park City, Utah) and Emilie Arrix (Wilton Conn.).
