Maunder grabs 18 saves in loss at No. 14 Denver

Wednesday, March 4

Denver, CO

11:00 AM PT

Fresno State

2-4

#14 Denver

5-1

Fresno State

Denver

Photo by: Keith Kountz

Maunder grabs 18 saves in loss at No. 14 Denver

3/4/2020 2:55:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse

Box Score

By: Savannah Stoeckle / Communications Assistant

DENVER - The Fresno State lacrosse team competed in a physical contest at No. 14 Denver, but fell 20-6 at Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium on Wednesday afternoon. The Bulldogs sit at 2-4 overall with a Sunday afternoon matchup scheduled at Oregon this weekend.

The Fresno State offense was led by Hannah Krats and Kayla Galet who had two goals each. Megan Walaitis and Sydney Skalstad contributed one apiece to round out scoring for the Bulldogs.

Defensively, senior goalkeeper Laurel Maunder chalked a season-high 18 saves in the net. Despite giving up 20 goals, Maunder got a touch on plenty of shots this afternoon as Denver fired a total of 49 in the game. Maunder kept Denver to scoring just three of its 10 free position attempts. Denver was a team that ranked No. 38 in free position percentage this season with a 46 percent mark in the category. Maunder also added four ground balls.

How it happened
Denver got out to a 3-0 lead in the first three minutes of game time before the Bulldogs could get on the board with a free position goal from Galet. Fresno State used the free position goal from the senior to spark some momentum as they went on to hold Denver scoreless for 10 minutes of clock time.

Following Galet's goal, Skalstad scored on an assist from Lauren Kiszely on a man-up opportunity to put the Bulldogs within one, 3-2. Walaitis powered one in from the center on the feed from Jordyn Pandolfo to knot things up at three apiece.

The team's were tied at three with 22 minutes left in the first half until Denver went on a 7-0 scoring run to take a 10-3 lead. Fresno State kept striking at the cage, but the Pioneer defense learned quickly of what Fresno State's offensive was running and was there to make the stop each time.

Krats ended the Pioneers' run after dodging a mess of defenders and scoring all on her own with just 3:23 left in the first half. Denver sealed the opening period with a goal from Sammie Morton to give it a 11-4 lead at the half.

Denver opened scoring in the second half, but a Kayle Kaesbauer ground ball with the pass ahead to Krats led to a goal in transition for the Bulldogs with 24:23 left in the game. The Pioneers went on another scoring run to take a 18-5 lead before Galet could score her second goal of the game on the assist from Marina Mayo with 10:50 left.

Only two goals were scored in the remaining 10 minutes of play, but both were by Denver as it extended its lead and earned the win on its home turf.

Up Next
Fresno State completes its four-game road swing at Oregon on Sunday at noon. The 'Dogs will return home to host Yale on Thurs. Mar. 12 at 5 p.m. PT.

"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley '' – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please visit bulldogfoundation.org.

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