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The graduation of Carson Gregg leaves Denver’s starting goalie a mystery.

All three goalies on the roster — senior Amelia Cole, junior Chloe Lewis and sophomore Victoria Macres — are in competition for the starting spot. While Cole and Lewis saw limited time last season, Macres saw none. Cole spent about 32 minutes between the posts, saving three of seven shots. Lewis saw 22 minutes in goal with one save on three shots.

Though Macres recorded no stats from last season, Pioneers coach Liza Kelly said she is still a contender to start in net.

Kelly was waiting to get back on the field with her team this month to evaluate each goalie, unsure which of them had the edge. When asked about it in an interview with a US Lacrosse Magazine writer last month, she defined Denver’s goalie situation “undetermined.”

“[Last season] we had some really good leadership in both [defender] Laura Milleker and Carson Gregg and [defender] Molly Little,” Kelly said. “They really stepped into some key roles left open by graduation.”

Gregg spent 426 minutes in goal during the 2020 season. She recorded 47 saves and a 44.3 save percentage in eight games. In her four-year career as a Pioneer, Gregg played 51 games, clocking 308 saves, 90 ground balls and 23 caused turnovers. Her departure leaves a new gap in the defense.

Milleker, meanwhile, came up with 11 draw controls, eight ground balls and seven caused turnovers for the Pioneers. She chose to not opt back in for her extra year of eligibility granted by the NCAA. The loss of Milleker leaves a scarce defensive unit led by Little, who returns as a graduate defender.

“Molly’s been in the draw circle, but she’s really big for us defensively, too,” Kelly said. “She’s somebody that we want on the field the whole game, and that’s why we moved her from midfield to defense so that she really could be on for every draw. She is really aggressive up there. That was an area that we were improving upon as the season ended last spring.”

In her eight starts, Little recorded a team-high 37 draw controls, 10 ground balls and eight caused turnovers. Though the Pioneers struggled to consistently control the draw last season, Kelly is confident her defense has the endurance and poise to make the needed stops

“We play a really up-tempo, takeaway defense,” Kelly said. “Our goal is to go get the ball and not wait for a team to make a mistake. We enjoy playing defense. As much as we want to do it, we have to get the ball from the draw.”

Little opened the 2020 season on the Tewaaraton Watch List next to teammate Quintin Hoch-Bullen. The duo will provide consistency and certainty heading into the 2021 season while the goalie and defensive vacancies remain open.

Hoch-Bullen has established herself as Denver’s marquee player. She scored a Big East-best 33 goals in just seven games last year before the COVID-19 pandemic halted the season, ranking 10th nationally. Hoch-Bullen was the only player to score in every game.

Praising Hoch-Bullen’s speed and strength, Kelly said, “She's somebody that really can do it all.”

TOP RETURNERS

Quintin Hoch-Bullen, A, Sr.

She puts the bull in Hoch-Bullen with her ability to muscle her way to the goal and score with otherworldly stick skills. The Pioneers’ top scorer (33 goals, 11 assists) posted seven hat tricks.

Hannah Liddy, A, Sr.

The playmaker amassed 17 assists in five games, ranking 13th nationally.

Molly Little, D, Gr.

Little’s game is anything but. She’s one of the most versatile players on Denver’s roster as a defender who can score. When it comes to the draw, it’s hers to lose.

KEY ADDITION

Kailey Conry, A, Gr.

Kelly expects the Boston University transfer to immediately contribute on offense. Conry is a smart decision-maker and avid feeder, piling up 165 assists in her four years at BU.

ENEMY LINES

“They are always so strong defensively. I expect that to be the case again, but their offense is balanced and has shown that they can score lots of goals. Denver plays with a ton of swagger. In the past, they’ve struggled against top-five programs probably only because they’ve had a softer schedule [otherwise]. It will be interesting to see them this year and how they will choose/be allowed to challenge themselves with their strength of schedule.”

“They are returning great players this season. This team just continues to grow year after year. Defense is always a staple — strong, aggressive, make you earn everything. Offensively, they are dynamic and even though las season was cut short, they have a lot of experience down there. Every player on the field can be a threat. I think they will have another great season, in Big East and NCAAs.”

NUMBERS GAME

5

The Pioneers’ national rank in caused turnovers per game (12.5) in 2020.