The sting of last weekend’s Big East championship game loss to Georgetown is suddenly a distant memory.
Denver is headed to the NCAA Division I women’s lacrosse quarterfinal round for the first time in school history after knocking off host and eighth-seeded Michigan 9-5 on Sunday.
"This is a very special moment for our team," said head coach Liza Kelly. “To be able to advance to the quarterfinals, with this group of girls, is such an unbelievable experience. They have worked so hard all season long, and I'm excited to see what comes next in our journey."
Denver, which boasts the nation’s No. 1 ranked defense, had that strength on full display.
Michigan got off just 19 shots in the game and committed 19 turnovers. Ten of those were caused by the Denver defense with senior defender Katherine Fischer registering four to give her a team-leading 36 for the season.
In net, junior Carson Gregg, who came into the nation ranked second in goals against average, made six saves to record her 13th win of the season. Michigan scored once in just in the first 44 minutes of the game.
With defense that good, Denver didn’t need much offense, but sophomore Quintin Hoch-Bullen provided what the Pioneers needed.
After both teams went scoreless for the opening 17-plus minutes of the game, Hoch-Bullen struck first for Denver at the 12:12 mark of the first half and her goal with 2:44 left in the half gave the Pioneers a 3-1 halftime lead.
Hoch-Bullen also opened the scoring in the second half and finished the game with five goals. Elizabeth Behrins added a goal and two assist for a Denver squad that led by at least three for the entire second half after Hoch-Bullen’s initial tally.
Molly Garrett led Michigan, which won its first NCAA tournament game in school history on Friday, with two goals. The Wolverines converted on just two of their nine free position attempts in the game. Mira Shane made 11 saves in the loss.
Denver will meet top-seeded Maryland in the quarterfinals next weekend. Maryland is coached by Cathy Reese, who was the head coach at Denver from 2004 to 2006 before she returned to her alma mater in College Park, Md.