CINCINNATI, Ohio - The Pioneers used a 14 goal first half to defeat the Xavier Musketeers, 18-2, in their Big East conference opener on Sunday morning in Cincinnati, Ohio. 

Denver took an early lead off a first-quarter hat trick by Raegan Wilson, a pair of goals by Caroline Keil and Ryan Dineen and tallies from Eva Thomsen-Marr and Caroline Bowers.  

The Pioneers showed no signs of slowing down to start the second quarter with a goal by Addy Caulk to start the running clock just 30 seconds into the second quarter. Bowers scored her second of the day alongside a pair of goals by Olivia Ripple, and one from Caroline Colimore to give Denver a 14-0 lead at halftime. 

Megan Myers scored her first of the day to start the second half, Wilson tallied her fourth of the day and Keil completed the hat trick to lift the Pioneers to a 18-2 victory. 

KEY PERFORMANCES
Raegan Wilson tied her career-high four goals, alongside a trio of goals from Caroline Keil. Olivia Ripple added on a pair of goals and a career-high three helpers. 

Emelia Bohi was a perfect four saves on four shots in the first quarter of play. Lauren Hall added a pair of saves and Skyler Constantino added one stop. 

Alex Dorr led the draw unit with nine wins in the circle. Wilson tacked on a trio of draw wins while Thomsen-Marr and Sarah Pokorny each added a pair. 

On the defensive end, Thomsen-Marr, Pokorny, Carly Frohnapfel and Megan Klingenberg each added a pair of caused turnovers. Klingenberg scooped a trio of ground balls and Landry Grover and Frohnapfel each added a pair. 

NOTABLES

• The first-half shutout marks the first, first-half shutout since Louisville (W, 18-2) on February 16, 2019. 
• Two goals in the fewest goals allowed since April 22, 2023 in the victory over Georgetown (W, 15-2).
• The win over the Musketeers marked the largest margin of victory since March 30, 2019 vs. Old Dominion (W, 20-1).

UP NEXT: The Pioneers return to Peter Barton on March 29 against Georgetown.