DENVER – The University of Denver women's lacrosse program announced today that defender Gracie DeRose and attacker Kayla DeRose will return for a fifth season of eligibility with the Pioneers in 2023.
 
"I'm excited to announce that both Gracie and Kayla will return for a fifth season and continue to help us build something special here at Denver," said Denver head coach Liza Kelly. "Gracie has made great strides for us over the years and was one of our most reliable defenders last season. She has a knack for the ball and for making big plays and key times. Kayla has taken a larger role on our team over the last two seasons and has become an invaluable member of our offense. She developed into one of the best passers in the Big East last year, and I'm looking forward to seeing what she and Gracie can do with another year of experience next spring."
 
Gracie DeRose appeared in 43 games for Denver from 2019-2022, totaling 63 ground balls, 54 caused turnovers and two points (two goals, two assists). She started in all 21 contests for DU last season, finishing fifth on the team with 25 caused turnovers and sixth with 30 ground balls. The Gaithersburg, Maryland, native had at least one ground ball in 19-of-21 contests and posted multiple caused turnovers on eight occasions.
 
Kayla DeRose has posted 44 goals, 28 assists and 72 points in 41 games over the past four years with the Pioneers and is coming off a career-high campaign during her senior season. She posted 20 goals and 21 assists in 17 contests in 2022, finishing second on the squad in assists, fifth in goals and fourth in points (41). The Gaithersburg, Maryland, native was second on Denver with a .773 shots-on-goal percentage and recorded multiple goals in six games and had 14 total multi-point outings. Kayla began the year on an 11-game point streak (15 goals, 14 assists) from Feb. 13-April 9 and picked up at least a point in 16 of the 17 outings she played.
 
Denver finished No. 11 in both the IWLCA/Inside Lacrosse Coaches Poll and USA Lacrosse Magazine Media poll after reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the fourth-straight season.

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