Photo by: Adam Hammerman
Junior women’s lacrosse defender Kate Henrich is currently leading the nation with 2.92 caused turnovers per game after several impressive performances this season, including her six caused turnovers and five ground balls in Denver’s 12-6 win over Stanford on April 7. Henrich has recorded 38 caused turnovers in 13 games.
Henrich has been playing lacrosse for seven years, since picking it up her freshman year at Germantown Academy in Lansdale, Penn. She was an all-league soccer player, but started playing lacrosse at the suggestion of her Spanish teacher.
What may have been an impromptu decision helped shape Henrich’s future. In high school, she was a two-time Upper Atlantic national team member and an All-Galaxy Second Team honoree. She received an All-American honorable mention, an All-Philly honorable mention and all-league as a junior, in addition to playing club lacrosse for Ultimate Lacrosse.
“I decided I wanted to come to Denver because of the great atmosphere,” said Henrich. “I knew when I stepped onto the campus that this is where I wanted to have my college experience and help build a women’s lax program.”
In her first season as a Pioneer, Heinrich started in 14 games and ranked 3rd on the team with 24 caused turnovers.
Last season, she was ranked 1st in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation and 19th nationally in caused turnovers. She earned Academic All-MPSF and was named All-MPSF First Team as well as All-MPSF Tournament Team.
This year, Kate is not only leading the nation in caused turnovers but is also helping to lead the Pioneers to a potential conference championship. The team broke the top 20 in RPI amongst Division I at No. 19 and are tied with Oregon for 1st place in the conference.
While focused on the team’s success, Henrich is also prepared to add to her current record of 38 caused turnovers during the 13 games of the 2012 season.
“Individually, my goal is to be named All-American,” said Henrich. “But right now, my focus is to help my team towards our next step: making it to the NCAA tournament.”
The Pioneers extended their win streak to 12 games after this weekend. They conclude the regular season Saturday with a game against conference-rival Oregon.
Loyola Maryland’s Kelley Gallagher sits at No. 2 in the national rankings after averaging 2.83 caused turnovers per game this season.
