Despite senior midfielder Grace Gabriel setting a program single-season draw control record Friday night, Marquette women’s lacrosse (8-8, 2-2 BIG EAST) could not complete a comeback, falling 21-11 to No. 15 Denver.
The Pioneers opened the game with a 6-0 run in the first eight minutes before freshman attacker Shea Garcia netted Marquette’s first goal of the night. Marquette scored three goals in three minutes, but Denver countered with its own 3-0 run.
Denver had the lead for the entire game.
Gabriel and junior attacker Megan Menzuber gave the Golden Eagles two early goals in the second half, but it wasn’t enough. Denver capitalized on multiple free position attempts to give itself 10-goal lead late in the second half.
Gabriel recorded four goals, two ground balls, two caused turnovers and three free-position shots. She accounted for seven of the team’s 20 draw controls, which helped her break the program record for draw controls in a single season. She had the previous record as well with 109 last season.
Menzuber and Garcia were the only other players to score multiple goals.
Marquette junior goalie Julianna Horning tallied four saves in 39 minutes, and sophomore backup goalkeeper Sophia Leva came in for the remaining 22 minutes.
For the Pioneers, Eliza Radochonski led the way with six goals. Quintin Hoch-Bullen added five goals, Julia Feiss had four goals and Elizabeth Behrins had a hat trick.
Marquette will host Georgetown Saturday for its last regular season game at 2 p.m. at Valley Fields. The Golden Eagles already clinched a spot in the BIG EAST Tournament.
