DENVER, Colo. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs women's lacrosse team delivered a remarkable second-half comeback Saturday afternoon to defeat No. 19 Regis University, 12-11, earning a share of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Regular Season Championship. The title marks the first in program history for the Mountain Lions, who finish the regular season tied with the Rangers at 8-2 in RMAC play.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
- Final Score: W, 12-11
- Records: UCCS (10-5, 8-2 RMAC) | #19 RU (12-5, 8-2 RMAC)
- Facility: RU Turf Fields | Denver, Colo.
- All-Time Series: Today's win is the first time the Mountain Lions have ever defeated Regis. The Rangers hold a 16-1 all-time record against UCCS, including a 7-1 mark when facing the Mountain Lions on their home field.
HOW IT HAPPENED
FIRST QUARTER: UCCS 3, REGIS 3
- Charlotte Fannin was instrumental in UCCS' fast start, factoring into all three first-quarter goals as the Mountain Lions jumped out to a 2-0 lead. She opened the scoring at 11:50 with an underhand scoop shot after working from behind the cage to the left side. Following a draw control win by Jade Wilson, Fannin connected with Ella Mills in front of the net to extend the lead less than five minutes into the game.
- Regis responded with three straight goals to take a 3-2 advantage late in the quarter, but Fannin answered again—finding Sofia Watts, who maneuvered through the defense to even the score at 3-3 heading into the second quarter.
SECOND QUARTER: REGIS 5, UCCS 1
- Regis seized control in the second quarter behind Aubrey Brenton, who netted her third goal of the game early in the period. The Rangers pushed their lead to 5-3 before UCCS answered out of a timeout, as Allie Schell set up Watts for her second goal to cut the deficit to one.
- However, Regis closed the half on a strong note, scoring three unanswered goals to take an 8-4 lead into the break.
THIRD QUARTER: UCCS 4, REGIS 2
- Regis extended its run with another goal to open the second half, but UCCS quickly responded. Josie Leonard won the draw control and weaved through traffic for a goal at 11:49. After the Rangers pushed their lead back to five, Allison Hoffman answered from the right side, igniting a Mountain Lions rally.
- Fannin added her second goal of the game midway through the quarter, and after a Regis timeout, UCCS capitalized on a defensive stop. Peyton Ross forced a turnover, leading to a ground ball pickup and a finish from Sydenee-Anne Moeller. UCCS outscored Regis 4-2 in the quarter to pull within two, 10-8.
FOURTH QUARTER: UCCS 4, REGIS 1
- UCCS carried its momentum into the final quarter, scoring four straight goals to erase the deficit. After a Hoffman shot hit the crossbar, the Mountain Lions maintained possession, and Schell found Rylie Maready for the opening goal of the quarter.
- Regis briefly halted the run with Brenton's fourth goal, but UCCS continued to surge. Maready controlled the draw, leading to a Mills' goal that cut the deficit to one. The Mountain Lions' defense then sparked the equalizer, as Kiley Cuddahy forced a turnover that led to a successful clear and Hoffman's game-tying goal at 9:27, knotting the score at 11-11.
- UCCS' second timeout paid off once again, as Allison Hoffman connected with Ella Mills for the go-ahead goal with 5:51 remaining in regulation. Regis had a chance to even the score on a free-position attempt in the final 90 seconds, but Delaney Gnos came up with a clutch save to preserve the Mountain Lions' 12-11 lead.
FINAL SCORE: UCCS 12, REGIS 11
GAME STATISTICS
- Mills recorded a hat trick, finishing with three goals and an assist on five shots.
- Hoffman added a strong all-around performance with two goals, two assists, and a team-high seven shots.
- Watts and Mills each collected three ground balls, while Watts also contributed on the draw with four controls.
- Maready and Leonard each secured five draw controls to pace UCCS in the circle.
- Fannin and Peyton Ross both caused three turnovers, with Ross adding three ground balls.
- Gnos logged 45 minutes in goal, making eight saves for a .571 save percentage.
- Regis was led by Aubrey Brenton, who finished with five goals on nine shots, including eight on goal.
- The Rangers held the statistical edge in shots (32-23), shots on goal (20-17), and ground balls (19-14).
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Trailing by four goals at halftime, 8-4, UCCS outscored the Rangers 8-3 in the second half.
- The Mountain Lions will be the No. 2 seed in the RMAC tournament.
- The 10-wins this season is one shy of the program record of 11-7, set in 2022. The eight RMAC wins also matches the most RMAC wins in a season, when UCCS went 8-4 in 2022.
- Mills notched her team-leading eighth hat trick of the season, including her third straight.
UP NEXT
- Regis will host the RMAC Tournament April 23 and April 25. As the No. 2 seed, UCCS will face No. 3 seed Westminster University in the semifinal round. Go to www.rmacsports.org for complete tournament information.
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As a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs competes in 14 varsity sports in NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics.
