The Georgetown University women’s lacrosse team defeated the University of Connecticut (UConn) 12-6 in the Big East semifinals to advance to the conference title game. 

In a game marked by a reliable defense and balanced scoring, the No. 2-seeded Hoyas (12-5, 5-1 Big East) controlled the tempo from start to finish, never allowing the No. 3 Huskies (7-10, 3-3 Big East) to sustain momentum. 

Neither team was able to pull ahead in the first ten minutes. The scoring opened up with senior attacker Gracie Driggs running into the crease with 5:27 remaining in the first quarter. Four minutes later, UConn found the back of the net, but the tie was short-lived. With just 13 seconds remaining in the period, junior midfielder Reagan Ziegler took a ball from up high to bounce past the Huskies’ goalkeeper, giving Georgetown a lead it would hold for the rest of the game. 

The late first-quarter goal proved to be a watershed moment, as the Hoyas took command in the second quarter with a decisive 4-0 run. First-year attacker Molly Davies initiated the surge with a sneaky slip ball finish starting from behind the goal. Ziegler added her second goal of the night shortly after, followed by finishes from junior midfielder Danica Blix and sophomore attacker Sophia Loschert. By halftime, Georgetown had a commanding 6-1 lead, thanks to effective shooting and a defense that impeded UConn. 

The Hoyas’ defense set the tone for the game, limiting the Huskies to just 19 shots while forcing turnovers and contesting possessions. Senior defender Trinity Koetje and sophomore defender Christina King led the backline with tough, high-pressure play, each causing three turnovers. Their ability to disrupt UConn’s offensive sets kept the Huskies from creating any consistent scoring opportunities, especially during Georgetown’s crucial second-quarter run. 

The Hoyas extended their momentum into the second half, applying pressure at both ends of the field. Loschert increased the advantage early in the third quarter off a free position shot. Midway through the quarter, UConn attacker Lucia Smigiel broke her team’s lengthy scoring drought on a man-up opportunity with a powerful shot from distance. With three minutes remaining in the third quarter, Huskies midfielder McKenna Merkel finished up high after being awarded a free-position shot, bringing the score to 7-3.  

Driggs ended UConn’s scoring streak with two minutes remaining in the quarter, finishing in front of the crease with a quick fake before slipping it past the goalkeeper. With just 30 seconds in the third and three seconds on the shot clock, first-year midfielder Betsy Burton added a goal to create a comfortable 9-3 cushion for Georgetown going into the final quarter. 

Despite trailing by six entering the fourth, the Huskies kept looking for openings, finding the net three times in the final frame. However, the Hoyas remained composed under the pressure. Georgetown’s defensive discipline held strong and graduate goalkeeper Leah Warehime made crucial saves when tested, finishing with 5 on the night. Her consistent presence in goal helped negate UConn’s late surge and ensured the victory was never in doubt. 

Ziegler capped off a remarkable effort with 2 more goals in the fourth quarter, bringing her total to 4. Her last tally, with only 1:37 remaining, secured the victory and highlighted her importance as an offensive catalyst for the Hoyas. 

While Ziegler led all scorers, Georgetown triumphed due to a balanced offensive effort. Loschert scored a hat trick and Driggs added 2 goals and an assist. Senior attacker Molly Byrne and junior attacker Anne McGovern each contributed 2 assists, allowing for a flowing offense that frequently found high-quality scoring opportunities. The Hoyas outshot the Huskies 37-19 and controlled possession for much of the game. Georgetown’s ability to dominate pace, paired with its effectiveness on both ends, proved crucial in the semifinals.

With the victory, the Hoyas improve to 12-5 overall and advance to the Big East Championship game, where they will meet the No. 1-seeded University of Denver Pioneers (14-3, 6-0 Big East). The Pioneers handed Georgetown its only Big East loss on April 25 in Washington, D.C. The Hoyas will aim to take their momentum from Thursday into Saturday’s championship game, seeking to avenge their earlier loss to Denver and claim the conference title and an NCAA tournament bid.