BOULDER — Denver women’s lacrosse handled Florida 15-8 on Friday night at Prentup Field, punching its ticket to the second round of the NCAA Tournament and setting up an all-Colorado matchup with Colorado on Sunday in Boulder.
The Pioneers grabbed control early and never let the game slip away. Olivia Ripple helped set the tone with a first-quarter hat trick, giving Denver the kind of start that put Florida on its heels and let the Pioneers play from in front.
By the second half, Denver had turned the game into a comfortable advantage. The Pioneers kept pressure on Florida, protected their lead, and closed out one of the strongest local results of the weekend.
Denver’s win now sends the Pioneers into a Sunday rematch with Colorado, which beat them 9-6 earlier this season. An in-state NCAA Tournament meeting with Colorado at Prentup Field. After taking care of Florida, the Pioneers now get a Sunday game with familiar stakes, a familiar opponent, and a spot deeper in the bracket on the line.
Friday’s win mattered on its own, but its biggest impact may be what it created. Boulder now gets Colorado vs. Denver with the season still alive for both sides.
Denver’s win did more than move the Pioneers on. It created an all-Colorado NCAA Tournament game against the Buffs, giving Sunday in Boulder real statewide significance.
