April 15, 2012

Final Stats

DAVIS, Calif. - Sophomore Jenn Etzel scored four goals while junior Kara Secora combined for eight total points, helping Denver finish strong in a 20-12 win over UC Davis in a Mountain Pacific Sports Federation women's lacrosse game at Aggie Stadium Sunday afternoon. Elizabeth Datino and Elizabeth Landry each had three goals for the hosts.

The Aggies slip to 5-8 overall and 2-3 in MPSF contests. The Pioneers capture their 12th straight win, improving to 12-1 for the year and 6-0 in conference.

Besides her hat trick on offense, Landry contributed an assist and a game-high eight draw controls. Datino also tallied an assist for four points. Freshmen Charlotte Morris and Allie Lehner each netted two goals, while junior Anna Geissbuhler posted a goal and two assists. Another highlight for UC Davis was the return of Carly Voris from injury. She had a draw control and a caused turnover in her limited action off the bench.

For Denver, Secora recorded four goals and four assists for her eight points, Etzel was close behind with a 6-1-7 line and Melissa Maier added a hat trick with four draw controls and two steals. Freshman Jill Remenapp added two goals and two assists off the bench.

Although the Aggies drew first blood with Morris' eight-meter goal in the fourth minute, the Pioneers managed five of the next six to take a 5-2 lead at the midway point in the first half. UC Davis rallied late in the period, with Lehner converting an assist from Landry at 2:08 and Geissbuhler assisting Mirza just 12 seconds later to close the gap to 7-6. Secora scored with two ticks left to give Denver an 8-6 advantage at the break.

The Aggies continue to surge in the second half. Freshman defender Sarah Rupp picked up an errant DU ball after the initial draw, setting up a Stephanie Guercio-to-Landry combination on the other end, cutting the deficit to a single goal. Kate Henrich won the next draw - one of six total for her - to set up a Secora goal in the 33rd minute. But UC Davis managed two more scores in quick succession to tie the game. Landry won the next draw and took it straight to the cage with 27:16 remaining, then Lehner's draw control allowed for a quick Morris tally just 11 seconds later.

However, Denver scored the next three goals to claim the lead for good. Etzel hit two in a 4-0 run that set the board at 16-10 midway through the frame, then added two more down the stretch. The Aggies never closed the gap by less than five in the final 18 minutes.

Denver outshot UC Davis by a 36-25 margin, hitting 11 of 16 after the 9-9 tie in the second half. The Pioneers also owned a sizable edge on draw controls (20-14) while committing just one turnover during transitions. The Aggies hit six straight shots to bring the 6-3 deficit to the 9-9 tie, but shot just 3-for-9 the rest of the way.

UC Davis continues MPSF play against Stanford on Wednesday. Game time is 7 p.m.

GOALS - DU: Jenn Etzel 6, Kara Secora 4, Melissa Maier 3, Jill Remenapp 2, Meredith Harris 2, Gretchen Nace 1, Sonorah Vinyard 1, Annabelle Gilbride 1. UC Davis: Elizabeth Datino 3, Elizabeth Landry 3, Allie Lehner 2, Charlotte Morris 2, Anna Geissbuhler 1, Hannah Mirza 1

ASSISTS - DU: Kara Secora 4, Jill Remenapp 2, Mikayla Clark 1, Rachael Dillon 1, Jenn Etzel 1. UC Davis: Anna Geissbuhler 2, Elizabeth Datino 1, Stephanie Guercio 1, Elizabeth Landry 1.

GOALIE SAVES - DU: Ashley Harman 9 (60:00). UC Davis: Jordan Majka 6 (60:00).