Pioneers Pull Away From Aggies in Key MPSF Matchup - Denver ensured of third seed in May’s league tournament

WOMEN’S LACROSSE NEWS - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, April 22, 2005

Pioneers Pull Away From Aggies in Key MPSF Matchup - Denver ensured of third seed in May’s league tournament

DAVIS, Calif. – Junior Steph Greenlees (Lake Forest, Ill.) scored four goals but it was a crucial draw control and assist by sophomore Kate Broderick (Chantilly, Va.) that helped lift the University of Denver women’s lacrosse team to a 12-9 win over UC Davis in a Mountain Pacific Sports Federation game at Aggie Field Friday, April 22.

The Pioneers improve to 5-11, but more importantly, bump their conference mark to 3-2. The win virtually ensures Denver of the third seed in May’s conference tournament. The Aggies drop to 8-6 for the year, and 2-2 in the MPSF.

Katie McMahon led UC Davis with four goals and an assist, while Tiffany Lee contributed a hat trick. All three of Lee's goals came within a span of four minutes during the second half, and two of them retied a game that featured three different lead changes.

Lee scored back-to-back goals at the 47:07 and 49:14 marks in the second period, cutting an 8-6 Denver advantage to an 8-8 tie. Greenlees hit her fourth goal at 50:56 into the game to give the Pioneers a 9-8 edge, but Lee struck again on an unassisted drive to retie the game at 9-9 with 8:44 remaining.

On the next draw, Broderick won the toss and immediately fired to teammate senior Tara Bourdelaise (Grambrills, Md.), who was making a strong drive toward the UC Davis cage. Bourdelaise collected the outlet and converted the goal to give the Pioneers the lead for good.

Junior Tanya Fuchs (Bay Shore, N.Y.) posted a goal and an assist in the final minutes to help Denver extend the lead to the 12-9 final.

Kaitlin Moore and Katie McGovern each chipped in a goal and an assist for UC Davis. Lindsay Messina and Megan Miller also had assists for the Aggies.

Fuchs finished with a 2-2-4 line and Broderick had a 2-1-3 chart for the Denver offense. Senior goalkeeper Steph Schneider (Leesburg, Va.) posted 11 saves in the Pioneer cage.

The Pioneers return to action on Saturday, April 30, when they travel to Colorado Springs to battle Colorado College at 3 p.m. Head coach Cathy Nelson Reese will take part in the dedication of Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium at noon Saturday, April 30.