The teams traded goals early but a 7-0 scoring run by Denver, four markers by Olivia Ripple, gave the Pioneers an 8-2 lead. Two more goals by Eva Thompsen-Marr and Reagan Wilson ballooned the halftime lead to 10-2.
Ryan Dineen and Caroline Keil opened the second half with a pair of goals, 12-2, and it was garbage time. Wilson and Lauren Black capped the Denver scoring in the third and fourth quarter respectively before Liza Kelly and her team secured their fifth straight conference championship, a first for the Big EAST.
Denver secured seven more ground balls and seven fewer turnovers than the Wildcats. Olivia Ripple finished with four goals and Reagan Wilson scored three goals and dished out three assists on the Wildcats home field.
Feature Photos: Courtesy of Rick Martin
We are much better than our 21 ranking nationally. Those 2 opening road losses have haunted us in gaining respect from the pollsters. We should be in the 10-15 range.
Pios got to the dance. Will need to be better defensively to have any shot. Giving up nine to Villanova is not the way forward…