Pioneers Beat Holy Cross 16-8

Box Score

Worcester, Mass. – University of Denver senior Mikayla Clark (Eden Prairie, Minn.) scored a career-high four goals and redshirt sophomore goalie Hannah Hook (Arnold, Md.) made 11 saves, leading the Pioneers to a 16-8 victory over Holy Cross on Saturday afternoon.

Sophomore Jill Remenapp (Woodbine, Md.) had a pair of goals and three assists for the Pioneers (9-1, 1-0 MPSF), and redshirt senior Kara Secora (Denver, Colo.) recorded her eighth hat trick of the year and added an assist. Defensively, senior Kate Henrich (Lansdale, Pa.) registered four draw controls and three caused turnovers. 

“It has been a long but fun week on the road,” head coach Liza Kelly said. “We haven’t practiced or played on the same field for any given day. Despite the roller coaster, I think the team worked hard against two good New England teams. I thought Hannah had a great week, as did Jill.” 

After Holy Cross (4-7) scored the game’s first goal, Denver responded with three-straight goals in a 2:24 stretch. The Crusaders tied the game at 3-3 with 16:18 left in the first half, but the Pioneers scored two more and took a 5-4 edge to halftime.

DU wasted no time coming back from the break, rattling off five goals in the first 5:44 to give Denver a lead that proved insurmountable.

Holy Cross pulled to within four at 12-8 with 10:54 remaining, but the Pioneers sealed the victory with four-straight goals to end the game.

The Pioneers remain on the road next weekend for a pair of Mountain Pacific Sports Federation games, traveling to San Diego State on Friday, March 29, and Southern California on Sunday, March 31.