COLLEGE PARK – The University of Denver women's lacrosse team's season came to an end with a 17-8 loss against Maryland on Saturday night in the NCAA Quarterfinals. The Pioneers wrap up the year with a 16-4 mark, while the Terps (20-1) will go on to face Northwestern in the Semifinals on May 24.
With two goals in tonight's game, sophomore
Quintin Hoch-Bullen posted the 100th of her career.
"I'm just so proud of these girls," said head coach
Liza Kelly. "We had a fantastic season, and Maryland played a great game."
Pioneer Performers:
Four Pioneers contributed to Denver's eight goals, with Hoch-Bullen,
Julia Feiss,
Bea Behrins and
Kendra Lanuza all posting two.
Elizabeth Behrins, Lanuza and
Hannah Liddy each totaled one assist.
Liddy and Hoch-Bullen topped the leader board with three ground balls apiece, while senior
Maddie Baum won five draw controls.
Carson Gregg and
Amelia Cole split the time in net, Gregg totaled five saves and Cole tallied four.
By The Numbers:
The biggest strength for the Pioneers in the game were their shots, totaling 29 in the contest and rivaling Maryland's 32. The Crimson and Gold's biggest weakness was free position opportunities, going 0-8 while the Terps went 4-7.
Denver also posted 18 ground balls, nine draws, nine saves, six caused turnovers and went 13-16 on clears.
Timeline:
After a slow first four minutes, the Terps were first to knock one to the back of the net, coming from a free position shot at the 26 minute mark.
Bea Behrins tied the score up at 1-1 four minutes later, followed by another Maryland goal just a minute later. The Pioneers scored their second with a combo from
Hannah Liddy to
Kendra Lanuza, but the Terps came in hot with another three goals, making it 5-2 with 15 minutes remaining in the first half. The Terps went on a four-goal run, leading 9-2, but Hoch-Bullen managed to slip another past the Maryland goalie at the 0:44 second mark, making it 9-3 heading into halftime.
Maryland scored the first two goals coming out of the gate after the second half, kicking off a stellar next 30 minutes. Despite the Pioneers being ranked the No. 1 defense in the nation prior to the contest, the Terps scored eight goals in the second half. Denver posted four of the final seven goals, including the last two of the game, but it wasn't enough to make a comeback and Maryland advanced to the NCAA Semifinals.
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.
PIONEER MOVEMENT:
Fans interested in making a donation to the women's lacrosse program can do so by
clicking here. Your contribution will make a direct impact on the success of YOUR Pioneers. Thank you in advance for your unwavering support of our student-athletes and their quest for excellence.
