GRANVILLE, Ohio - The Denison women's lacrosse team has qualified for the 2019 NCAA Division III Tournament and will host Transylvania University in the second round on Sunday, May 12 at Piper Stadium.
The Big Red qualified for the NCAA postseason tournament by winning the North Coast Athletic Conference Tournament for the sixth-straight year and the 14th time overall. This is Denison 21st NCAA Tournament appearance in program history.
Denison enters the tournament with an overall record of 15-4, including their fourth-straight 8-0 season in conference play.
Senior Jane Goodspeed has been the anchor for this Denison team in 2019, assisting on the defensive side and on draw controls. Already the program's all-time leader in draw controls and caused turnovers for a season and a career, the NCAC Tournament MVP has led the Big Red this season with 161 draw controls, 73 ground balls, and 48 caused turnovers. Sophomores Charlotte Godfrey and Lindsey Karsh assist Goodspeed on the defensive side as the pair has combined for 52 caused turnovers and 84 ground balls.
The Big Red offense that ranks 16th in Division III with 16.94 goals per game is led by the sharpshooting duo of junior Kiely Noonan and freshman Casey McTague. Noonan, who ranks fourth all-time in career goals (169) and points (233) at Denison, currently leads the Big Red with 47 goals while tying for the team-high with 25 assists. McTague ranks second on the team with 44 goals while adding 27 ground balls and 17 caused turnovers as a freshman.
For Transylvania, the Pioneers earned a spot in the tournament after defeating Hanover 20-0 in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament on Saturday. Securing their second-straight HCAC Tournament title, the Pioneers enter the national tournament with the ninth-best scoring offense in the country at 17.44 goals per game. Sophomore Courtney Pontious leads the team in scoring with 73 goals while adding 24 assists and a team-high 77 draw controls. Brianna McCulley has posted 50 goals and 21 assists on the season.
The Denison Sports Network will provide live video of Sunday's tournament game. Please visit denisonbigred.com for more information in the coming days.
