DENVER, Colo. — Stetson women's lacrosse fell to Denver 21-4 on Friday evening at Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium.
Stetson found the scoreboard midway through the opening quarter when Luana Engel finished a pass from Lexi Bird at the 8:59 mark to make it a 4-1 game. Denver responded with a run of goals late in the period and carried the momentum into the second quarter to build an 11-1 lead after the first and extend the advantage to 15-1 by halftime.
Despite the deficit, the Hatters continued to compete throughout the second half. Goalkeepers Maddie Eckert and Harper Hodgett combined for 13 saves in the contest, helping slow Denver's attack at several points during the game.
Stetson found renewed momentum in the fourth quarter. Kathleen Nichols started the rally with a man-up goal at the 7:00 mark off an assist from Claire Oldford. Just over a minute later, Lexi Bird added another goal, finishing a pass from Alexa Vega to bring the Hatters closer. Ryley Heilmann capped the late push with a free-position goal at the 4:05 mark, giving Stetson three goals in the final quarter.
Stetson Top Performers
• Ryley Heilmann – 1 goal, 3 draw controls
• Lexi Bird – 1 goal, 1 assist
• Luana Engel – 1 goal
• Kathleen Nichols – 1 goal (man-up)
• Maddie Eckert – 9 saves
• Harper Hodgett – 4 saves
Stetson continues its road stretch on Sunday, March 15, when the Hatters travel to face Colorado at 2:00 p.m.
Article partially generated by Fanword
About Stetson Athletics
At Stetson University, student-athletes don't just compete—they thrive. Located in historic DeLand, Florida, between Orlando and Daytona Beach, Stetson offers the perfect blend of competitive athletics, academic excellence, and an unbeatable Central Florida lifestyle. As the oldest private university in the region, Stetson supports approximately 500 student-athletes across 19 NCAA Division I sports. Nicknamed the "Hatters" after the institution's namesake John B. Stetson, a hat manufacturer who originated the modern-day cowboy hat, most Stetson athletic teams compete in the Atlantic Sun Conference, where they proudly hold the longest active membership since 1985. With top-tier facilities, personalized support, and a welcoming campus community, Stetson is where students can grow, compete, and succeed. Learn more at GoHatters.com or follow social media accounts @StetsonHatters.
