DENVER -- The University of Denver women's lacrosse team battled but ultimately fell 9–6 to the Colorado Buffaloes on Wednesday.

The Pioneers broke through at the 10:13 mark of the first quarter when Caroline Keil finished an assist from Caroline Bowers to make it 1–0. Denver extended its lead midway through the period on a Karleigh Mutch goal off a feed from Obert, taking a 2–0 advantage before Colorado responded to cut the deficit to 2–1. Turnovers were a factor early, with Colorado committing six in the opening quarter and Denver adding four of its own.

The Buffaloes gained momentum in the second quarter, tying the game at 2–2 before taking their first lead at 3–2 on a low finish that slipped past goalkeeper Lexi Gwaku. Keil answered for Denver to even the score at 3–3. Late in the half, Denver capitalized on a missed free-position attempt, turning the rebound into a goal by Olivia Ripple to take a 4–3 lead into halftime.

Colorado surged ahead in the third quarter, tying the game on a woman-up opportunity before converting a fast-break chance to take the lead at 5–4. Defensive pressure intensified on both ends, but the Buffaloes added another late goal in the period to push their advantage to 6–4.

Denver struggled to build offensive rhythm in the fourth quarter. Eva Thomsen-Marr cut into the deficit with a goal off a Dineen assist at 11:16, but Colorado answered with a free-position goal to extend its lead to 8–5. After a prolonged possession, Thomsen-Marr struck again—this time off a pass from Mutch—to make it 8–6 with under three minutes to play. Despite the late effort, Denver fell 9-6 to Colorado. 

KEY PERFORMANCES:
Caroline Keil and Eva Thomsen-Marr led the Pioneers with a pair of goals each. Landry Grover led the draw effort with three wins in the circle while Carly Frohnapfel and Alex Dorr each added a pair. 

Defensively, Megan Klingenberg added a pair of caused turnovers as did Landry Grover. Gwaku tied her career-high nine saves between the pipes.

UP NEXT: The Pioneers return to Peter Barton LS on Saturday against Xavier for senior day.