The 2024 Division I women's college lacrosse season kicks off February 9. As is our annual tradition, we’re featuring every team ranked in the USA Lacrosse Preseason Top 20 in the lead up to opening day. Check back to USALaxMagazine.com each weekday this month for new previews, scouting reports and rival analysis.
NO. 4 DENVER
2023 Record: 22-1 (6-0, Big East)
Final Ranking (2023): No. 4
Head Coach: Liza Kelly
Assistants: Brice Queener, Brittany Read, Megan Zeman, Finley Ueland
What’s left to say about the 2023 season in Denver? A recap, in case you somehow forgot: Denver’s blue-blood-busting run to the Final Four, including dethroning North Carolina in an epic 5-4 quarterfinal.
The Pios’ stout zone defense averaged a Division I-low 6.22 goals allowed per game and claimed the IWLCA Defender of the Year, Sam Thacker, as their own. They were the only team to enter the Final Four undefeated before losing to eventual national champion Northwestern.
But the year is now 2024. Thacker is back, reversing her decision to move on and enter the workforce late last summer. So are other marquee members of the historic 2023 squad, like goalie Emelia Bohi, the speedy Trinity McPherson and offensive stalwart Julia Gilbert. It would be easy for head coach Liza Kelly to launch into the whole “it’s a new year” cliché. But Kelly doesn’t follow a script. She wouldn’t have spearheaded the rise of a program that operates on Mountain time if she did.
“There’s been a lot of talk about getting back there and proving we are not a one-hit wonder,” Kelly said.
Keeping 2023 in the forefront of their minds instead of “turning the page” has motivated the Pios.
“Everybody has really stayed hungry,” Kelly said. “Brice [Queener] is always talking about how you have to do something in a game to know you can do it. That step to that Final Four has given us more confidence to hopefully take that next step.”
Truly, there are only two extra steps Denver could have taken last year — getting to the national title game and winning it. A slew of returners, plus talented transfers that could elevate the offense, give Denver a running head start entering 2024.
TOP RETURNERS
Julia Gilbert, A, Gr. (59G, 8A)
Sam Thacker, D, Gr. (53CT, 59GB, 46DC)
Trinity McPherson, D, Gr. (39CT, 61GB, 61DC)
A late-summer change of heart from Thacker bolstered a Denver defense that already planned to return the speedy McPherson, Bryn McCaughey (42CT, 42GB), Anna Palmisano (22CT, 30 GB) and Megan Klingenberg (21CT, 31GB). Thacker’s ability to cause turnovers is well established. She finished seventh nationally in the category (2.30).
McPherson’s sixth year is also a welcome return. Bohi (.504 SV%, 6.43GAA) furthers the continuity on defense and would be the fourth top returner if the category called for more than three. While the Pios return much of Hot Pink, some key players, like two-way middie Ellie Curry (34GB) and starting defender Gracie DeRose (26CT, 24GB), are gone. Kelly expects Klingenberg — a fast, athletic defender who started every game as a freshman — to move around more, working off McPherson to cause turnovers and push the pace in transition.
KEY ADDITIONS
Jane Earley, A, Gr. (74G, 32A, 138DC at Division III Middlebury)
Olivia Penoyer, A, Gr. (15G, 40A at Yale)
Payton Vaughn, M, Gr. (4G, 38GB, 18CT at Yale)
That transition will be vital to getting the ball into the hands of a new-look offense. The Pioneers leaned heavily on Gilbert last season, with then-rookie Ryan Dineen (31G, 26A), Lauren Black (37G, 7A) and now-graduated Curry (32G, 12A) chipping in significantly. The defense got most of the headlines, but Kelly was far from unhappy with her offense.
“They were under the radar in a lot of ways because our defense got a lot of the credit,” Kelly said. “They had to score one more goal than the other team. They weren’t flashy, but they were gritty.”
Expect the same grit with some new faces that stand to add depth to the unit, giving the Pios one more way to beat opponents. Earley is a high dodger and natural righty likely to slot in on the right side by Gilbert. Her work on the draw only adds to her value. She’s also won three national titles at the Division III level, something Denver is vying to do for the first time in Division I. Penoyer’s ability to quarterback an offense will help more players get involved. Vaughn was more of a defensive midfielder at Yale, but she’ll likely fill a two-way role with Curry gone.
NOTABLE DEPARTURES
Graduations: Ellie Curry, M; Gracie DeRose, D; Kayla DeRose, A
X-FACTOR
Raegan Wilson, A, R-Jr. (17G, 4A)
An injury sidelined Wilson in April last year. The attacker has shown promise through the years, though, starting every game in 2022 and showing up in big games when healthy in 2023, including a hat trick against Boston College. Wilson is a captain this season and has used her experience on the sideline to be an on-field coach. Her presence bolsters an offense determined to take a step forward.
THE NARRATIVE
We covered the one-year-wonder part of Denver. It’s hard to believe that will be the case with the talent the Pios have back — of course, that’s why they play the games.
What will be interesting to see is how the Pioneers evolve. Bohi has proven she can make saves, and the defense remains loaded, prompting Kelly and the staff to encourage more risk-taking. What might that mean? McPherson wasn’t even afraid to take risks last year, pushing the pace, seeking to be a force on offense and defense. We’ll likely see the same out of Klingenberg this year and beyond. As important as their presences will be, an experienced, deeper offense adds intrigue to this year’s Pioneers team.
The offense isn’t the only thing the Pioneers beefed up for 2024. Look at the schedule. Last year, one of the few controversial decisions by the committee was slotting the Pioneers fifth, pitting them against a formidable USC team in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Denver didn’t complain. The Pioneers just won, and then they trumped UNC. The problem? The Big East that Denver dominates is good, with three teams (UConn and Marquette) getting bids, but it’s not the ACC or Big Ten.
Maryland, who the Pioneers beat last year, is back on the schedule as the kick-off game to a challenging stretch that should serve as a litmus test and resume builder. After Maryland (March 2), Denver travels to Northwestern (March 8) and Stony Brook (March 11). A trio of wins and running the table in a challenging Big East would loom large on Selection Sunday.
But, in the end, Kelly is playing to win ‘em all, which Denver nearly did last year.
“You have to play every game like it’s the national championship,” Kelly said.
That’s the end game.
ENEMY LINES
“Offensively, you have to bring your best [against them]. They were one of the best defenses in the country last year — incredibly hard to score on. You need all seven of your attackers to be on the same page. Their defense sparks their offense. Your offense needs to come and have a great day.”
Denver’s lacrosse team faces a significantly tougher non-conference schedule in 2024, with their projected non-conference Strength-of-Schedule jumping from 21st in 2023 to 8th this year. If they get over the hump in 2024, we’ll be crediting the trial-by-fire that they’ll go through early in the season with games against Northwestern, Stony Brook and Maryland.
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