DENVER- The [10/10] University of Denver women's lacrosse team kicked off their 2020 campaign with a 17-13 victory over [20/RV] Stanford at Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium on Saturday.

"Stanford is such a good opponent for us to start the season against," head coach Liza Kelly said. "Playing a top team out of the gates lets you know where you stand and what you need to work on. We were not perfect in our execution today but we were perfect in our effort. I am really proud of the attack for excelling in their opportunity to shine. As a staff we are pumped to get back to work on Monday!"

The Pioneers improve to 1-0 overall as the Cardinal falls to 0-1.

Quintin Hoch-Bullen led the Pioneers with five goals while Hannah Liddy and Bea Behrins each added hat tricks. Liddy also added a team-high three assists on the afternoon. Carson Gregg spent all 60 minutes in goal for the Pioneers, recording 14 saves and allowing 13 goals.

Denver used a big first half to jump ahead of the Cardinal early. Eliza Radochonski netted the first Pioneer goal of the season less than one minute into the contest before a trio of Pioneer goals followed leading the Crimson & Gold to an early 4-1 advantage. Stanford cut Denver's lead to 6-4 when it found the back of the net with 16:34 remaining in the half. Freshman Julia Gilbert notched her first career goal to put the Crimson and Gold on top at 9-4 before Behrins and Hoch-Bullen closed out the half with a pair of goals to extend the Denver lead to 12-5.

Stanford came out firing in the second half, striking first to make it 12-6 but Denver responded with three unanswered goals, seeing Hoch-Bullen net her fifth of the game while Radochonski and Wiseman each scored their second goals of the contest. Stanford threatened at 16-9, but with 14:53 remaining Caroline Wiseman found Liddy to send a striker into the back of the net, extending the Pio lead to eight. Stanford refused to go quietly, scoring four unanswered goals to close out the game but the Pioneers were able to hang on, locking in their home opener, 17-13.

Denver will be back in action next Saturday as they travel East to take on Louisville (10 AM MT).

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