#20 Denver women’s lacrosse (8-2, 1-0) traveled to Ann Arbor, MI. to face #5 Michigan to face the Wolverines on Thursday afternoon. On paper, Denver had the best statistics with the 6th best defense in the country – 10.5 caused turnovers per game vs. Michigan’s 7.2 per game. All this, while Denver was racking up 17.6 points per game vs. Michigan’s 12.3 ppg. However, Michigan had the strength-of-schedule advantage and home-field at U-M Lacrosse Stadium. Something had to give and it was Denver in the second half, falling to Michigan, 12-6.
In the first quarter, Denver bookended two Big Blue goals. Olivia Ripple got DU on the board at 10:31 and Eva Thomsen-Marr capped the first quarter scoring for Denver to even the score, 2-2.
Michigan reeled off three straight goals in the first ten minutes of the second quarter as DU missed on several prime scoring opportunities. Denver finally scored a man-up goal by Kendra Harris with four minutes remaining in the half, 5-3. The score held steady until halftime.
Denver goaltender Lexi Gwaku faced five shots on goal while Denver placed nine balls on frame in the half. Michigan owned ball controls 7-2 and ground balls 9-3 in the first half. Denver was fortunate to only be trailing by two goals after the first 30 minutes.
In the third quarter, both teams scored in the first minute. DU’s Karleigh Mutch secured a draw control and opened the scoring. At the midway mark of the quarter, Caroline Bowers pulled DU within a goal, 6-5. The teams traded goals as Olivia Ripple kept the margin at one goal, 7-6. At this point, Michigan started to pull away in the final four minutes with two consecutive goals. Michigan built a 9-6 lead at the end of the third period.
The fourth quarter was all Michigan as Big Blue outscored Denver 3-0. The Wolverines tallied three consecutive goals while shutting out the Pioneers. Denver could not secure a single shot-on-goal in the period while draw controls were 3-0 in favor of the Wolverines. Elizabeth Johnson was rock-solid for Michigan in the cage allowing 6 goals and 8 saves (.571) for the game while Gwaku allowed 12 goals and made 8 saves (.400).
Denver generated chances but, ultimately, it was Michigan that took advantage of its scoring opportunities and controlled possessions with draw controls (15-5) and ground balls (17-8). Next up is a quick turnaround with a Saturday game against Butler in Indianapolis at 9:30 am MT.