EVANSTON, Ill. – The University of Denver women's lacrosse team won a back-and-forth battle, 13-12, against the Stanford Cardinal on Friday afternoon to advance to the second round of the NCAA tournament.
The Pioneers have advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament in each of its last eight appearances.
Stanford struck first with two quick goals in the first three minutes of the game. Denver responded with goals from Julia Gilbert and a free position shot by Lauren Black to tie it at two. The Pioneers and Cardinal traded goals for the remainder of the period.
Denver gained the momentum in the second quarter, spearheaded by a caused turnover by Sam Thacker at 11:29 that lead to a fast break goal by Lauren Black to tie the game at 5. The Pios went on a 4-0 run to close out the second quarter and took an 8-5 lead into the half.
Both teams traded goals for the remainder of the game, but Denver held on in the final seconds of the game to earn the 13-12 victory.
KEY PERFORMANCES:
Sophomore attacker Ryan Dineen recorded a season-high seven points, coming in two goals and five assists, including the assist to Gilbert's 200th career goal. Gilbert and Black each earned a hat trick against the Cardinal while Caroline Colimore had a pair. Sloane Kipp, Olivia Penoyer and Jane Earley rounded out Denver's scoring effort.
Abby Jenkins led the Pioneers in the circle with six draw wins while Trinity McPherson grabbed five.
Sam Thacker and Payton Vaughn led the defensive effort with a pair of caused turnovers each. Thacker also scooped up a trio of ground balls.
NOTES
· Gilbert extended her team-high point streak to 41 games, posting 136 points in 117 goals and 19 assists in that span.
· The Mclean, Virginia native is now second in the record books with 200 career goals, only the second player in program history to hit the milestone.
· Her 60 goals this season are the third-most ever by a Pioneer.
· Penoyer moves into second with 55 assists this season.
· Sam Thacker moves into second all-time with 179 career ground balls.
· Bryn McCaughey is now sixth with 97 career-caused turnovers.
UP NEXT: The Pioneers will take on the No. 1 seed Northwestern on Sunday at 12 p.m. MT
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