USC Lacrosse Stumbles Against No. 22 Denver in Early-Season Test
LOS ANGELES - It was a tough night at Rawlinson Stadium for the USC women’s lacrosse team, as the Trojans dropped their home opener to No. 22-ranked Denver, 15-4, in a game that showcased the Pioneers’ early-season sharpness and depth.
USC, now 1-1 on the year, had four different players find the back of the net, including a free-position goal from junior midfielder Anna Regan. But Denver came out firing, scoring three goals in under a minute to set the tone and building a 5-0 lead by the end of the first quarter.
Redshirt junior Hollis Mulry gave USC a spark to open the second frame, notching the Trojans’ first goal of the night. That was part of a brief three-goal run for USC, with sophomore attacker Vivian Leuthold and Regan adding tallies to chip away at the deficit.
But Denver answered every push. The Pioneers responded with three more goals of their own before halftime, stretching their lead to 10-3 at the break and never looking back.
Denver’s defense clamped down in the third quarter, shutting USC out while adding two more goals to widen the gap. The Pioneers opened the fourth with another pair of scores, capping off a 6-0 run that effectively sealed the game. Redshirt junior Hannah Barron finally broke through with a goal for USC with just over five minutes to play, but Denver’s Olivia Ripple capped her dominant night with her fifth goal to close out the scoring.
Ripple was the difference-maker, leading all scorers with five goals. She was complemented by Ryan Dineen, who posted a hat trick and added an assist, while Alex Dorr controlled the center circle with a game-high seven draw controls. Denver finished with a 29-14 advantage in shots and a 15-8 edge on draws, dictating tempo from the opening whistle.
Despite the final score, USC showed moments of resilience, especially in the third quarter when the Trojans scooped up five ground balls to slow Denver’s offensive rhythm. But in a game where possession and execution were key, the Pioneers simply had more answers.
The Women of Troy won’t have much time to dwell on the loss. They’ll be back on the field Sunday afternoon for another top-25 matchup, this time against No.
24 Brown. That game is set for 1 p.m.
PT and will be streamed live on Big Ten Plus.
It’s still early in the season, and this matchup gave USC a clear picture of where they stand against ranked competition. With another test coming quickly, the Trojans will look to regroup, recalibrate, and respond.