Despite the frigid temperatures, the University of Cincinnati lacrosse team got off to a hot start Saturday afternoon against #22 Denver to the tune of a 4-0 lead, but the Bearcats were unable to hang on as the Pioneers scored seven in a row before holding off the hosts for a 17-11 decision at Gettler Stadium in Cincinnati. The loss dropped the Bearcats to 6-6 overall this year and 0-5 in the BIG EAST while the visiting Pioneers improved to 8-4 overall and 3-2 in the conference. // HOW IT HAPPENED In what became a game of runs, the Bearcats struck first as McKenna Rushford, Monica Borzillo, Bridget Cleary and Amanda Donovan each scored to give the hosts a 4-0 lead with just over five minutes having run off the clock. Following a DU time-out, the visitors responded and scored seven in a row to take a 7-4 lead with 13:02 remaining in the first half. From there, UC scored twice with a DU goal between as Sam Mlkvy and Amanda Fess each tallied goals to make it 8-6 DU with 4:16 remaining. The Pioneers added a goal with 3:28 remaining to bring the score to 9-6 at halftime. The visitors added to their lead as they opened the second half with four goals, jumping out to a 13-6 lead. The Bearcats did not go quietly, however, as the hosts tallied three in a row to cut the lead to 13-9. Following goals by Rushford, Borzillo and Taylor Gysin, the Pioneers responded with a pair of goals to bump their lead back to six (15-9) before UC answered with goals from Gysin and Mlkvy, putting the Bearcats down four once again (15-11) with just over six minutes remaining. Despite closing the gap once again, the Bearcats would get no closer as the Pioneers scored twice more to close the game and take a 17-11 decision. // DIFFERENT SCRIPT Despite the loss, today's game was much different than the one played last year in Denver. While the Pioneers scored 17 goals once again, the Bearcats scored 11 today, which is 11 more than last year's contest. In fact, heading into today's game, the Bearcats and Pioneers had played twice before with UC being limited to just three goals, a total they surpassed just five minutes into the game today. // SPREADING IT AROUND Seven different players scored at least one goal on the day with Borzillo, Gysin, Mlkvy and Rushford leading the way with two each. The others to find the back of the cage included Donovan, Amanda Fess and Cleary. Both Gysin and Rushford added an assist for a team-high three points each while Kate Carney and Donovan each posted one helper in the game. // CAUSING TURNOVERS The Bearcats caused 14 turnovers in the game, which ties for the ninth-most in a single game in program history while also marking the third time this year that UC has posted 14 or more in a game. Both Lauren Hudson and Morgan Dukes led the way with three each while seven other players each caused one turnover apiece. // CARNEY COLLECTING GROUND BALLS The team recorded 38 ground balls in the game, which ties for the third-most in a game in program history. While 15 different player recorded at least one ground ball and 10 had two or more, freshman Kate Carney led the way as she tallied a career-high eight, which doubled her previous career best. Her 8 ground balls collected today also ties for the sixth-most collected in a single game in program history. // FESS FINDS THE NET Amanda Fess scored just her second goal of the year and her first since the season opener with Louisville. Fess' goal came on a free-position shot, which is her first free-position goal of 2018 and only the third of her career. // ALUMNI HONORED This weekend, the program celebrated its first 10 years of alumni with 30 individuals returning to campus to be celebrated. Each of the former players were invited to the field and recognized at halftime before meeting with the current players following the game. // NEXT UP The Bearcats return to action Friday when they travel to Storrs, Conn., to face UConn in a noon game. // EXPERIENCE UC Once again in 2018, all home games will be part of the Experience UC initiative, which is geared toward inviting the community to campus to see firsthand the great things about and surrounding the university. Experience UC includes complimentary admission for patrons attending women's basketball, lacrosse, volleyball, women's tennis, men's and women's soccer, swimming and diving and track and field home events.