LEXINGTON, Va. – A historic season for the University of Chicago women's lacrosse team came to a close on Sunday afternoon, as the Maroons lost to No. 8-ranked Denison University 10-7 in the NCAA Division III Quarterfinals.

The Maroons concluded the year with an 11-2 overall record. In their third season as a varsity program, the 2021 campaign was their most successful yet. UChicago earned its first College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) tournament title and made its debut appearance in the NCAA postseason. The squad recorded a pair of wins en route to the NCAA Quarterfinal round.

Even though two of the best offenses in the nation were facing off, the defenses held their own throughout. Both teams came in averaging more than 17 goals per game, but were limited to 17 goals total on the afternoon.

Most of the scoring action occurred in a back-and-forth first half. UChicago grabbed the early advantage with sophomore Katie Large's goal less than three minutes in. First-year Lulu Hardy made it 2-0 about four minutes later, with an assist from junior Lally Johnson.

It took nearly 13 minutes for Denison to register its first score. However, the Big Red proceeded to net the next four goals, with two coming on free position shots. Facing a 4-2 deficit over halfway through the period, UChicago junior Ali Sheehy got her team back on the board, assisted by Large.

Denison proceeded to go up 5-3 shortly afterwards. But the Maroons tallied three goals over the final 10 minutes of the half to even the proceedings up at 6-6. Junior Anne Sensenig's goal drew her squad to within 5-4. Large set up Johnson for her score with 2:49 remaining, and Sheehy's free position goal came with 1:27 left.

The second half proved challenging for the Maroons. Denison held UChicago off the scoreboard for a 26-minute stretch. Three Big Red strikes interspersed throughout gave them a 9-6 lead. The Maroons were not getting the same offensive looks as earlier and were limited to seven shots in the half. Draw controls proved critical as well – Denison captured all six in the second half.

Sheehy's goal off a Johnson assist with 3:43 remaining kept UChicago close at 9-7. However, Denison's insurance tally a minute later proved too much to overcome.

Sheehy finished with three goals. Johnson handed out three assists to go with her goal. Large tallied one goal and two assists. Sophomore Charlotte Rapp (four draw controls) and first-year Lizzie Huesman (three draw controls) scooped up two ground balls each. Sophomore Hailey Klinger grabbed three ground balls with one caused turnover. Junior Adriana Shutler and sophomore Caitlin Blankenship caused two turnovers apiece.

Sophomore goalkeeper Emily Feigen (10-2 record) faced 19 shots on goal and tied her career high with nine saves. Denison went 3-for-9 on free position shots versus Feigen.

Denison held sway in multiple categories, including shots (30-18), draw controls (11-8) and ground balls (25-13). Denison converted 18 of 22 clears and the Maroons went 18 of 24 on those opportunities.