For the University of Denver women's lacrosse team, the fall season is a time for learning the system, building camaraderie with one another and setting the foundation for the spring regular season.
 
While the team has been able to train together in the weight room and on the field since school began on Sept. 7, nothing can help a player's development more than seeing live reps in a game. The Pioneers were able to do that with a jam-packed two days on Oct. 9-10 where they played six mini-exhibition contests in Baltimore, Maryland.
 
"Our fall trip is so important to us for the development of the team," said head coach Liza Kelly. "Not only does it give us the opportunity to play against some of the very best teams in the country, but it also allows us the chance to bond as a team and celebrate DU women's lacrosse with our family and friends. It was an incredible weekend of lacrosse and family."
 
Denver began its fall-ball slate on Saturday, Oct. 9 at USA Lacrosse Play Day, where it played Towson in the morning before a quick back-to-back against John Hopkins and Navy in the afternoon. The Pios then played Penn, Maryland and Loyola all in a three-hour stretch on Sunday, Oct. 10 at Loyola's play day event.
 
For DU's nine incoming freshmen, the weekend was a chance for them to get a taste of what NCAA lacrosse is like while getting more integrated with a new team.
 
"I thought the weekend was amazing," said Lauren Black, one of the newcomers from New Westminster, British Columbia. "As a freshman it was a little nerve-racking that first game, but being out there with my teammates was so much fun. I was able to learn so much in those two days and am so excited to continue practicing with the girls and getting ready for season."
 

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The six games reaffirmed a lot of positives that Kelly and her staff have already seen during the early-season practices, while also give them a base on what still needs to be worked on during the upcoming months.
 
The annual fall trip is a highlight for many of the players, especially this year as many of them got the chance to play in front of family and friends. DU has 16 players that are from Maryland, Virginia or New Jersey, while other families made the trip out east to watch the team play.
 
"We had so much fun over the weekend, and it's always amazing to see our families come out to support us while getting to spend some quality time with them and the team," said graduate student Sammie Morton. "It was a packed weekend of lacrosse, and it allows us to show what we've got and also see areas where we can improve upon before spring season."
 
Denver wraps up its fall season on Saturday, Oct. 23 as it hosts the University of Colorado in an exhibition. The school is expected to begin the regular season in February, with the entire 2022 schedule to be announced in the near future.
 
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