DENVER, Colo. – For the second straight year, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs women's lacrosse season ends in the semifinal round of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference tournament. The No. 3 seed Mountain Lions fell to No. 2 seed Colorado Mesa University, 18-11, Friday evening. The four-team tournament is being hosted by No. 1 seed Regis University at the Regis Turf Field.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
- Final Score: UCCS 11, Colorado Mesa 18
- Records: UCCS (11-7) | Colorado Mesa (13-5)
- Facility | Location: Regis Turf Field | Denver, Colo.
- All-Time Series: The Mavericks have won all seven meetings since the series began in 2017.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The first of 29 goals scored tonight came on a free-position goal from CMU's Kiley Davis. Goalkeeper Madison McGriff made two tough saves in net leading to a successful clear by the Mountain Lions followed by a quick goal from Hannah Mill to knot the game at 1-1.
- McGriff added another save on a free position attempt by CMU but a ground ball was picked up by the Mavericks Ali Bryan. Kathryn Kossoack picked up a loose ball from a Mavericks turnover that ended in Audrey Napp firing a rocket off the cross bar into the goal for a 2-1 UCCS lead with 5:02 left in the opening stanza.
- Both teams remained scoreless for the next seven minutes. A CMU turnover led to a clear from the Mountain Lions and a goal from Natalie Church to give UCCS a 3-1 lead. CMU responded to fire off four straight goals in a span of five minute to regain the lead, 5-3. The UCCS defense forced another turnover by the Mavericks. Julia Patrick's shot attempt was high of the goal by Mill was able to regain possession and net her second goal of the game. Less than two minutes later Patrick connected with Mill to tie the game at 5-5 with 5:14 remaining in the second quarter. McGriff made another save on a CMU free position attempt but the Mavericks were able to scoop up the loose ball and score a goal with just 32 seconds left in the first half as CMU took a 6-5 lead at the half.
- The Mavericks opened the second half scoring six straight goals in the first seven minutes to extend their lead to seven goals, 12-5. UCCS was able to stop the scoring spree when Patrick won a draw that quickly led to Church's second goal of the game. Angela Naughton won the next draw and assisted Sarah Watts just 16 seconds after Church's goal to bring the deficit down to five, 12-7.
- Back-to-back goals from Mill and a second goal from Watts brought UCCS within four, 14-10, with 9:44 left in regulation. Patrick scored the final goal of the game for UCCS on a free-position attempt but the Mavericks ended the game netting two goals in the final 13 seconds to take the win, 18-11.
GAME STATISTICS
- Mill tallied a game high five goals and eight shot attempts. Watts and Church each posted two goals as the three Mountain Lions combined to score nine of UCCS' 11 goals.
- Napp, Patrick and Church all attempt four shots a piece. Church won a team high six draws while Holly Sodomka added four draws.
- Madison McGriff made 13 saves and picked a game high nine ground balls.
- UCCS was outshot, 41-25 (31-16 shots on goal). The Mountain Lions committed a season high 25 turnovers and were held to 13-of-23 clear attempts.
- The Mavericks Kiley Davis (five goals) and Taylor Jakeman (three goals, two assists) tied Mill for a game high five points.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- The Mountain Lions' 11 wins and eight conference wins are the most in program history.
- McGriff's nine ground balls tied the most made by a Mountain Lion this season, and her 13 saves are the second most made in a game in 2022.
SOCIAL
Twitter - @GoMountainLions
Instagram - @gomountainlions
Facebook – Go Mountain Lions
As a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs competes in 16 varsity sports in NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics.
