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Sophomore attack Jenn Etzel has taken control of the offense on the women’s lacrosse team, leading the Pioneers with 34 points off 28 goals and six assists this season.
After scoring a combined 10 goals in Denver’s three games against California, Hofstra and George Washington between March 21 and March 25, Etzel was named the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Player of the Week on March 27. She also tallied five groundballs, one assist and one caused turnover during the week.
“[Being honored by the MPSF] was really exciting,” said Etzel. “It’s something that not a lot of people know about, but it’s a great feeling for me to be recognized, and it gave me a lot of confidence to help my team more.”
She posted a career-high five goals and three groundballs during the Pioneers’ 16-13 win over California on March 21.
Head coach Liza Kelly credits Etzel for her quick first step and soft hands.
“If she continues at this rate, I see nothing short of All-American in her future,” said Kelly.
Etzel began her lacrosse career toward the end of elementary school and said that her father, who played when he was younger, was the one who encouraged her to try the sport.
She played on a competitive club team in eighth grade before playing four years on both the varsity lacrosse and soccer teams at John Carroll High School in Bel Air, Md.
“[Lacrosse] was something all through high school and middle school that was just a huge part of my life,” said Etzel. “I just really enjoy playing and it’s really fun.”
Her senior year, she was named the Most Valuable Athlete and was named to the All-Tewaaraton watch list.
“Being from Maryland, lacrosse is such a huge sport on the East Coast. It was something a lot of my friends were doing,” said Etzel.
After looking at universities including Vanderbilt, James Madison and Notre Dame, Etzel made the decision to play at DU because of the potential she saw in the Pioneers’ future.
“I really liked the idea of [DU] being an up-and-coming program, one that had been doing really well but was under the radar,” said Etzel. “I wanted to go somewhere where I thought I’d have a chance to play; I didn’t want to go to a huge school and sit on the sidelines. I wanted to have an impact in my first years.”
Etzel was successful in this endeavor, as she ranked 4th on the team her freshman season with 25 points off 18 goals and seven assists. She grabbed 13 groundballs and caused six turnovers during her rookie season, playing all 16 games for the Pioneers and earning a spot on the All-MPSF Second Team.
“[Being such a big part of the offense] is a lot of pressure from my coaches and my teammates,” said Etzel. “When you play, there are a lot of people looking up to you. But it’s good pressure, and it’s really exciting to make an impact.”
The Pioneers (10-1, 4-0 MPSF) are currently riding a 10-game winning streak heading into the final stretch of their season.
“[This winning streak] is awesome. Every game is so exciting,” said Etzel. “Every time we win, the next game we are so much more confident. That’s why we’ve won so many, because we aren’t nervous.”
Looking ahead, Etzel has her sights set on an MPSF championship and an NCAA tournament appearance this season. She also hopes to move up in the rankings of postseason awards.
“Last year, I was All-MPSF Second Team, so this year I’d love to get on the First Team and to keep up what I’m doing and just keep helping the team out,” said Etzel.
