University Park, Md. - The No. 18 University of Denver women's lacrosse team slipped to 0-3 outside Barton Lacrosse Stadium when it fell to Rutgers University 10-9 in overtime in University Park, Md., late Friday afternoon.

"It's unfortunate because it was definitely a game we could have won," head coach Liza Kelly said. "I think we made some mental errors that led to turnovers that cost us the game today."

Denver (6-4) received three goals from junior Karen Morton (Adelaide, Australia).

Rutgers (4-6, 1-1) was led by Brooke Cantwell, who had six goals and two assists, including the game-winning goal in overtime. Meghan Flanagan assisted on the goal.

Sophomore Katie Gold (Centennial, Colo.) and senior Becky Childs (Phoenix, Md.) split the time in net for DU.

"Our defense delivered a very good performance today," Kelly said. "Both of our goaltenders played solid and made some big saves."

Today's game marked the first meeting between the Pioneers and the Scarlet Knights.

Denver continues action on the East Coast when it faces No. 15 Johns Hopkins University on Sunday, March 30 at 10:00 a.m. MT in Baltimore, Md. The Pioneers are 0-1 all-time against the Blue Jays with the loss coming last season.

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COLLEGE PARK, MD. (March 28, 2008) – Rutgers women's lacrosse team defeated No. 18 Denver 10-9 in overtime at the neutral site of College Park, Md., Friday evening, marking the first win over a ranked opponent since an 8-7 victory over then No. 6 Notre Dame on April 21, 2007. The Scarlet Knights (4-6) received a career-high six goals from sophomore Brooke Cantwell (Moorestown, N.J.), including the game winner. The loss snapped a four-game winning streak for Denver (6-4).

“It was a total team effort,” said head coach Laura Brand. “We played really well in every position. Even when things did not go our way, the girls did not give up and they continued to play with 100 percent heart and effort. That's why we got the win.”

Cantwell's scoring total marks the highest offensive output from a Rutgers player this season and the most goals for an individual in a game since Nina Frankoski (Maplewood, N.J.) scored seven in a 14-10 win over Temple on March 30, 2007. Cantwell also tallied two assists, giving her a career-high eight points.

Junior Michelle Poole (Long Valley, N.J.) finished with a goal and two assists, while Frankoski added a goal and an assist. Freshman Jennifer Schmitt (Perry Hall, Md.) and sophomore Mary Cryan (Newtown Square, Pa.) each recorded a goal. Goalie Sandra Abel (Monrovia, Md.) stopped 10 shots, giving her 104 saves on the season. RU's defense has come together in the last four games, giving up an average of 8.6 goals per game. The team is 2-2 in that stretch.

The Pioneers were led by Karen Morton, who scored three goals. They dropped to 0-3 away from the friendly confines of Denver, Colo.

The Scarlet Knights will return home after four consecutive road games when they face St. Joseph's at Yurcak Field on Wednesday, April 2, at 4:00 p.m.

2008-03-28