ANN ARBOR – The University of Denver women's lacrosse team defeated USC 11-10 in overtime to advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Pioneers improved to 15-3 on the season and head to the second round for the fourth time in program history.
An overtime-winner from
Eliza Radochonski propelled the Pioneers past the Trojans. She led the Pioneers with three goals in the contest, on top of earning her 100th career point.
The Crimson and Gold will face Michigan in Ann Arbor on Sunday, May 12 at 10 a.m. MT.
"I'm really proud of our fight today," said head coach
Liza Kelly. "This is what we've been preparing for all year, and I think we came out ready to fight for that spot on Sunday."
Pioneer Performers:
Following Radochonski's hat trick,
Bea Behrins,
Julia Feiss and
Kendra Lanuza all posted two goals against the Trojans.
Elizabeth Behrins and
Quintin Hoch-Bullen tallied one apiece.
Radochonski and Lanuza led the team with five points each.
Maddie Baum won four draw controls for Denver,
Laura Milleker earned a career-high three draws and
Hayden Dean,
Audrey Schreck and Hoch-Bullen each had one.
Eight Pioneers caused at least one turnover against USC,
Katherine Fischer led the team with two in the contest.
Carson Gregg spent 51 minutes in net and totaled six saves.
Amelia Cole wrapped up the final nine minutes in net and had one save.
By The Numbers:
The Crimson and Gold totaled 21 shots, 13 ground balls, 10 draws and seven saves to advance to the second round. The Trojans posted 23 shots, 17 ground balls, 13 draws and six saves.
Timeline:
The USC Trojans were first to score on Friday night, just _ minutes into the contest. Denver responded quickly, Radochonski, Feiss and the Behrins sisters all scoring for the Pioneers to lead 4-1 with 21 minutes remaining in the first half. Gregg made a clutch save at the 16 minute mark to keep the Crimson and Gold at their three-goal lead, five minutes later the Trojans scored their second of the night making it 4-2. Hoch-Bullen scored her second goal with two minutes remaining, sending the Pioneers into halftime with a 5-3 lead.
Bea Behrins scored the first goal of the second half, coming just two minutes after the opening draw. Lanuza followed just a minute later with an unassisted goal, slamming the ball to the left side of the net while falling down. Lanuza sent another unassisted goal to the back of the net with 22 minutes left in the game, but the Trojans responded twice in the following five minutes later to make the score 8-6. Two more from USC put the Pioneers in a familiar situation, tied 8-8 in the second half like they were last week against the Georgetown Hoyas. Two more goals were contributed from both sides, sending Denver to its third overtime game of the season and USC's second.
Radochonski proved to be the hero that Denver needed, scoring her first game-winner of the season to send the Pioneers to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
NCAA History:
This marks as the fourth time (2013, 2014, 2018 and 2019) the Crimson and Gold will advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, winning the first round game in all four trips. Last season the Pioneers defeated High Point in the first round 19-10, but fell to Maryland 15-4 in the second round on May 13.
What's Next:
The Pioneers will face Michigan at 10 a.m. MT Sunday, April 12 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
PIONEER MOVEMENT:
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