ANN ARBOR – A defensive battle against the Michigan Wolverines ended in a 9-5 victory for the University of Denver women's lacrosse team on Sunday, propelling the Pioneers to the program's first-ever NCAA Elite Eight appearance.
 
Quintin Hoch-Bullen led the Crimson and Gold with five goals, securing two in the first half and three in the second. Katherine Fischer held down the Denver defense, totaling four caused turnovers and limiting the Wolverines to just five goals in the contest.
 
"This is a very special moment for our team," said head coach Liza Kelly. "To be able to advance to the quarterfinals, with this group of girls, is such an unbelievable experience. They have worked so hard all season long, and I'm excited to see what comes next in our journey."
 
Pioneer Performers:
Elizabeth Behrins, Eliza Radochonski, Bea Behrins and Hannah Liddy all contributed one goal to help boost the Pioneers past the Wolverines.
 
The defense was in full force all game, with 14 Pioneers tallying at least one ground ball, and three contributing to Denver's nine draw controls. Senior Audrey Schreck totaled five draws and Fischer accumulated four ground balls to lead the Crimson and Gold.
 
Carson Gregg spent all 60 minute in net, totaling six saves.
 
By The Numbers:
The Crimson and Gold out-worked Michigan in all categories, accumulating 29 shots, 23 ground balls, nine draws, six saves and going a perfect 19-19 on clears. The Wolverines posted 19 shots, 12 ground balls, seven draws, 11 saves and went 20-22 on clears.
 
The Journey:
The Pioneers received an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament on May 5, coming off a double-overtime loss against Georgetown in the BIG EAST Tournament Championship on May 4. The Pioneers looked for redemption as they entered the first round of the NCAA Tournament as they faced then-No. 13 USC. The Crimson and Gold were sent to their third OT game of the year against the Trojans, but came out on top with a 11-10 victory thanks to the game-winner from Radochonski. In the program's fourth second-round appearance, Denver defeated Michigan 9-5 to advance to the NCAA Quarterfinals for the first time in school history.
 
Timeline:
A scoreless first 18 minutes was broken by Hoch-Bullen with 12:12 remaining the in first half. Bea Behrins followed four minutes later to put the Pioneers at a 2-0 lead, but Michigan scored its first of the game less than a minute later. Hoch-Bullen closed out the half with a goal on the free position, putting the Pioneers up 3-1 heading into halftime, the lowest scoring half this season for DU.
 
Hoch-Bullen was once again the first to score in the second half, bringing Denver to a 4-1 lead with 25 minutes remaining in the game. Radochonski followed suit with her first goal of the game at the 23-minute mark. Ten minutes later Elizabeth Behrins scored her first with a shot to the top right shelf right past the Michigan goalie. Less than a minute later, the Wolverines responded, narrowing Denver's lead to three at 6-3. Liddy scored her 15^th goal of the season off a free position to increase the Crimson and Gold's lead to four, followed by another goal from Hoch-Bullen. The Wolverines posted two more before the final whistle, but it wasn't enough to make a comeback, leaving the Pioneers with a 9-5 victory.
 
What's Next:
The Pioneers will face Maryland on Saturday, May 18 at Capital One Field in Maryland Stadium.
 
PIONEER MOVEMENT: 
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