No. 1 Seed Denver Hosts MPSF Championship

4/28/2014 12:00:00 AM

April 28, 2014

# 20 DENVER (16-1 Overall, 9-0 MPSF) won 11-5 at Oregon to finish the regular season undefeated in the MPSF. The Pioneers are this year's host of the conference championship tournament, seeded No.1, and advancing to Friday's semifinals at 4 pm against Thursday's Oregon-USC quarterfinal winner. Hannah Hook made 14 saves in Eugene, allowing just five goals, having been named to the Tewaaraton watch list earlier in the day. The outcome marked the second straight year Denver has run the regular season table in conference, and fifth time under Liza Kelly. Jill Remenapp is the national assist leader with 46 (2.71 A/G). Hook has the top goals-against average (7.39) and save percentage (.534) in the MPSF.

# 18 STANFORD (13-3 Overall, 7-2 MPSF) is seeded second, earning a quarterfinal bye, taking on the San Diego State-Colorado winner Friday evening at 7 pm. Mackenzie Tesei came off the bench to produce three goals, three caused turnovers, and five draw controls in the regular season finale 18-7 win over California. Hannah Farr also had a hat trick with five draws, while Kelsey Murray scored twice and dished two assists. Lucy Dikeou has scored 26 goals on the year. Lyndsey Munoz has an 8.77 goals-against average.

COLORADO (10-7 Overall, 6-3 MPSF) enters the MPSF Tournament in its inaugural season, seeded third and meeting No. 6 seed San Diego State to open the event at 4 pm (MT) Thursday. After a dramatic 10-9 sudden-victory OT win at Oregon to finish the regular season, the Buffs finished in a three-way tie for third in the standings, and received the top seed in that tied group by virtue of defeating both USC and Oregon during the season. Sarah Lautman delivered her third OT game-winner of the year. Goalkeeper Paige Soenksen averages an MPSF-High 10.35 saves, with a second-best .522 save percentage. Johnna Fusco, who recorded five goals (including an unassisted natural hat trick)) and five draws in the finale, has 54 points on the year.

OREGON (10-7 Overall, 6-3 MPSF) is the four seed in the MPSF Quarterfinals, facing No. 5 seed USC Thursday in the second game at 7 pm (MT). The winner will meet the host and top-seed Friday at 4 pm (MT). The Ducks ended the regular season tied for third, but received the four seed by virtue of a loss to Colorado and a win over USC during the season. Oregon is led by Shannon Propst with 41 assists and 68 points on the year. Caroline Federighi owns the second-best goals-against average in the MPSF at 8.00.

USC (9-8 Overall, 6-3 MPSF) Courtney Tarleton set a Trojan single-game record with eight ground balls against No. 5 Northwestern, the first-ever lacrosse game at Wrigley Field. USC ended the regular season with an 11-5 win at Marquette. Caroline de Lyra totaled nine points on the trip, including three goals and three assists at Marquette, while Alex Moore added seven points. The Trojans, seeded fifth this week, take on No. 4 seed Oregon in the MPSF Quarterfinals.

SAN DIEGO STATE (7-9 Overall, 4-5 MPSF) earned the sixth and final ticket to this year's MPSF Tournament with a 17-4 regular season finale home win over Fresno State. Grace Korandovich recorded a hat trick within the first 12 minutes of the game. Michaela Jarvis added a goal and dished three assists, while Felice Artuso collected five draw controls. The sixth-seeded Aztecs make their first-ever postseason appearance Thursday (May 1) at 4 pm, taking on No. 3 seed Colorado.

UC DAVIS (8-8 Overall, 3-6 MPSF) Elizabeth Landry put away a 2014 MPSF-High tying seven goals in the season-ending 20-12 win over St. Mary's. She added a ground ball, two assists, and three draw controls in that win, and finished the season as the team leader in goals (48), assists (18), points (66), and draws (59-second all-time in UCD history). Mary Doyle tied her career-high six draw controls and picked up four ground balls vs. SMC.

CALIFORNIA (5-11 Overall, 3-6 MPSF) concluded the season at Stanford last Thursday. Freshman Bella Huther led the Bears in points (46) and goals (44), ranking second in the MPSF and 27th in the nation in the latter category when Cal completed its season. Gaby Christman led Cal in draws (45), ground balls (31), and caused turnovers (38).

FRESNO STATE (2-13 Overall, 1-8 MPSF) ended the season at Michigan this past Saturday. Senior Kara Concheck finishes her Bulldog career as the school's all-time scoring leader with 73 goals and 85 points. She recorded six hat tricks this season, including four in succession during conference games.

ST. MARY'S (2-12 Overall, 0-9 MPSF) Rachel Minarovich had five draw controls at UC Davis as the Gaels concluded the season. She finished with 81 on the year and an MPSF record 226 for her career. Krista Morgan led the Gaels with 42 points through the 2014 campaign.