ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The No. 20 University of Denver women's lacrosse team fell 12-6 to the No. 5 Michigan Wolverines on Thursday afternoon in Michigan.

Olivia Ripple opened up scoring for the Pioneers on a woman-up opportunity to give Denver a 1-0 lead. Michigan responded with a pair of goals of their own before Eva Thomsen-Marr tied it up with just over two minutes remaining in the first quarter.

Michigan opened the second quarter with three unanswered goals to build a 5-2 lead.  Lexi Gwaku came up big between the pipes on a Wolverine free position attempt before Kendra Harris responded with her third goal of the season to cut the deficit to two at the half.

Karleigh Mutch picked up the first goal of the second half for Denver to cut the Michigan lead but the Pioneers could not hold onto momentum. Ripple and Caroline Bowers both tallied goals in the second half, but the Pioneers were unable to overcome the Michigan offense, falling 12-6 in Ann Arbor.

KEY PERFORMANCES:
Olivia Ripple scored two goals for the Pioneers and Thomsen-Marr added a goal and an assist.
Landry Grover led Denver defensively with three caused turnovers and both Caroline Keil and Carly Frohnapfel added a pair of ground balls. Lexi Gwaku made eight saves between the pipes.

UP NEXT: The Pioneers travel to Indianapolis to take on the Butler Bulldogs on March 28 at 9:30 a.m. MT.