DENVER -- The University of Denver women's lacrosse team defeated the Towson Tigers, 15-11, in its home opener at Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium on Thursday afternoon.
Denver started the scoring early with a quick goal by
Caroline Keil just 90 seconds into the game.
Ryan Dineen added a pair of goals in the first, alongside a second from Keil and one from
Karleigh Mutch to give Denver a 5-2 advantage after the first frame.
The Pioneers outscored the Tigers 5-2 in the second quarter off of first half hat tricks by Dineen and Keil alongside goals by
Eva Thomsen-Marr and
Olivia Ripple.
Chelsea Cho earned her first collegiate goal off a free position opportunity at the two-minute mark to give Denver a 10-4 lead at halftime.
Mutch started the offense for the Pioneers in the second half with a quick draw win and Thomsen-Marr capitalized with her second of the day. Both Keil and Ripple cashed in on free-position opportunities in the third, and despite a pair of goals by Towson, Denver carried a 13-6 advantage into the final frame.
Ripple started the fourth quarter with a free position goal to earn her third hat trick in as many tries. Several young Pioneers saw action in the final frame, and despite the 5-0 run for the Tigers to close out the game, Denver earned the 15-11 victory.
KEY PERFORMANCES-
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Caroline Keil scored four goals and
Olivia Ripple and
Ryan Dineen each added a hat trick.
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Chelsea Cho recorded the first goal of her collegiate career.
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Landry Grover,
Megan Morneau and Ripple each caused a pair of turnovers and Grover added four ground balls.
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Eva Thomsen-Marr led the draw effort with five wins in the circle and
Alex Dorr added four.
UP NEXT: The Pioneers travel to Nashville to take on Vanderbilt on Sunday.
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