On April 1, at Peter Barton Stadium, Denver women’s lacrosse delivered a commanding performance in a 15-9 victory against the Marquette Golden Eagles with a fast start and consistent offensive pressure across all four quarters. 

Denver opened the game with energy as junior midfielder Olivia Ripple scored the first goal off a clean assist from freshman midfielder Karleigh Mutch. Soon after, redshirt sophomore attacker Caroline Keil added a man-down goal, finishing a pass from senior attacker Ryan Dineen despite Denver being a player short. 

Marquette responded with back-to-back goals, including one scored on a man-up opportunity.

Ripple answered again for Denver, attacking the goal and firing a shot past the goalie to help give Denver a 4-2 lead at the end of the first quarter. 

Sophomore attacker Eva Thomsen-Marr started the second quarter by circling the net and whipping in a shot for a man-up goal. Keil followed with her second goal after carrying the ball through the midfield and finishing on her own, stretching the lead to 6-2.

Marquette got one back, but the Crimson and Gold quickly shut down any hopes of a comeback. 

Thomsen-Marr scored twice more, including one where she cut to the left side of the crease and slipped a shot between the goalkeeper and the post.

Sophomore midfielder Caroline Bowers added a free-position goal, and Mutch scored two late man-up goals. 

Marquette stayed active with two goals, but Denver took a strong 11-5 lead into halftime. 

In the third quarter, sophomore goalkeeper Lexi Gwaku made several clean saves to stop any early momentum from the Golden Eagles. 

Thomsen-Marr then scored her fourth goal of the game off an assist from Keil. 

Marquette made a push with three back-to-back goals, including a man-up goal that briefly cut into the lead. 

Still, Denver stayed in control and led 12-8 at the end of the third quarter. 

DU closed out the game in the fourth quarter with confidence. Junior midfielder Kyra Obert drove through the defense and fired a strong shot past the goalie. Marquette answered less than a minute later with another goal.

Ripple then added her fourth goal on a free-position shot, with Dineen scoring late to seal the 15-9 win. 

Gwaku had a phenomenal performance leading the Crimson and Gold to victory with nine saves throughout the game. 

Denver’s next game will be away against Villanova on April 11.