COLORADO -- The University of Denver women's lacrosse team fell to Colorado, 11-9, on Sunday afternoon in Boulder, Colorado.
Colorado scored the first goal less than a minute into the game to take a 1-0 lead. The Pioneers responded quickly with four straight goals: back to back goals from
Olivia Ripple, one from
Caroline Keil and a woman-up tally by
Caroline Bowers to make it 4-2 after the first quarter.
The Buffs opened the second quarter with a free position tally but Ripple was quick to answer to make it 5-3. Colorado then scored four-straight goals to make it 7-5 CU at halftime.
The Pioneers battled in the third with a trio of goals by
Kyra Obert, Bowers and
Eva Thomsen-Marr but Colorado took an 11-8 advantage into the final quarter.
Colorado tacked on two more goals to start the final frame. The Pioneers continued to battle but ultimately came up short, 11-9.
KEY PERFORMANCES:
Olivia Ripple led the offense with three goals and
Caroline Bowers added a pair.
Defensively,
Carly Frohnapfel and
Landry Grover each had a pair of caused turnovers and Grover added three ground balls.
Lexi Gwaku recorded 10 saves.
Ripple led the draw with seven wins in the circle.
NOTABLES:
Olivia Ripple broke the single-season goal record with 73 goals this season, a record previously held by Bea Behrins with 71 goals in 2022.
Lexi Gwaku's 10 saves are tied for the third-most in a single NCAA Tournament game.
Megan Klingenberg tied the program record for the most games started with 82.
Ripple tied the third-most draw controls in an NCAA Tournament game with seven wins in the circle.
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