FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- The Pioneers put on an offensive showcase with nine unanswered goals in the second half to defeat the Fairfield Stags, 15-9 on Sunday afternoon in Fairfield, Connecticut. 

Denver and Fairfield traded momentum early in the first quarter with the Pioneers taking a narrow 3-2 lead off goals by Eva Thomsen-Marr, Caroline Bowers and Karleigh Mutch. 

The Stags answered in the second quarter, outscoring the Pioneers 5-3, and sent Denver to the locker room down 7-6. 

Denver took offensive control after the break, holding the Stags scoreless in the third quarter while scoring three times to regain the lead. Caroline Keil opened scoring in the second half and Ripple tallied her second and third goals of the day to extend the Denver lead to 9-7 with one quarter remaining.

The Pioneers then broke it open with six goals in the fourth quarter on back-to-back goals by both Eva Thomsen-Marr and Keil while allowing just two to seal the 15-9 win.

KEY PERFORMANCES- 
Caroline Keil and Olivia Ripple each recorded four goals to lead Denver offensively. Eva Thomsen-Marr added three goals and four assists, Ryan Dineen notched two goals and an assist and Karleigh Mutch added a goal of her own with a trio of helpers.
Carly Frohnapfel and Ripple led the draw effort, each with five wins in the draw circle. 
Frohnapfel added a pair of caused turnovers to lead the defense and both she and Ava Welty grabbed three ground balls apiece. 
Lexi Gwaku made six saves between the pipes. 

UP NEXT: The Pioneers return home for the first of a three-game homestand against Stetson at Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium on March 13 at 6 p.m. MT. 

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