WLAX Travels to No. 19 Denver Wednesday

The Marquette University women’s lacrosse team (7-4, 1-1 BIG EAST) is set to face their third ranked opponent of the 2026 season this Wednesday, traveling to No. 19 Denver (9-2, 2-0 BIG EAST). First draw is set for 12:30 p.m. CT from Denver, with ESPN+ featuring the broadcast.

LAST TIME OUT
Marquette earned a 10–7 road win at Xavier last Saturday in Cincinnati, leaning on defensive pressure and strong possession play to pull away. Tess Osburn led the Golden Eagles with three goals, while Ella Mautz added two goals, Hanna Bodner finished with a goal, an assist and six draw controls. Marquette outshot Xavier 31–15, won draws 13–6 and went a perfect 20‑for‑20 on clears. Defensively, Sofia Santana set a Marquette single‑game record with seven caused turnovers, helping MU limit Xavier to just seven goals and close out the victory.

HISTORY VS. DENVER
Marquette is 0-10 all‑time against Denver, a series that has featured frequent nationally ranked Pioneer teams and several closely contested matchups. The closest result came in 2021, when Marquette pushed then‑No. 19 Denver to double overtime before falling 12-11 at Valley Fields. The most recent matchup resulted in a 23-10 Denver win in Milwaukee in 2025, as Marquette looks to break through against one of the BIG EAST’s longtime benchmarks this week in Denver.

SCOUTING THE PIONEERS
Denver enters the matchup at 9-2 overall and 2-0 in BIG EAST play, coming off a dominant 14-2 road win at Butler on March 28. The Pioneers average 14.64 goals per game while allowing just 7.27, and are led offensively by Olivia Ripple, who tops the team with 43 goals and 55 points, while Caroline Keil adds 35 goals and Eva Thomsen‑Marr contributes 39 points (25G, 14A). Denver also controls possession with 150 draw controls, anchored by Alex Dorr‘s team‑high 50, and relies on goalkeeper Lexi Gwaku, who owns a 9–2 record, 7.45 GAA and .471 save percentage in 11 starts.

SANTANA, BODNER EARN BIG EAST HONORS
Following Marquette’s 10–7 road win at Xavier, Sofia Santana was named BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week after delivering a dominant performance highlighted by a career‑high and program‑record seven caused turnovers, along with a ground ball to anchor the Golden Eagles’ defense. Bodner earned a spot on the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll, producing a well‑rounded effort that included a goal, an assist, six draw controls, two caused turnovers and a ground ball, while helping Marquette control possession throughout the victory.

TOP-25 SCORING EFFORT
Offensively, Marquette ranks No. 24 nationally and No. 2 in the BIG EAST in scoring offense (13.64 goals per game), trailing only Denver in conference play. The Golden Eagles also sit No. 30 nationally and No. 2 in the BIG EAST with 19.91 points per game, reflecting a unit built on balance rather than a single scoring option.

EFFICIENCY FUELS PRODUCTION
MU couples its scoring output with efficiency, ranking No. 22 nationally and No. 2 in the BIG EAST in shot percentage (.466). Marquette has also converted 50.0% of free‑position chances, ranking No. 33 nationally and No. 3 in the conference, turning set‑piece opportunities into consistent offense.

PRESSURE ON THE CAGE
The Golden Eagles generate chances through volume and pace, ranking No. 31 nationally and No. 3 in the BIG EAST in shots per game (29.3) and No. 15 nationally and No. 1 in the BIG EAST in shots on goal per game (22.91). Opponents are routinely forced to withstand extended offensive possessions.

WINNING THE POSSESION BATTLE
Marquette has controlled the circle throughout the season, ranking No. 31 nationally and No. 2 in the BIG EAST with 13.82 draw controls per game. Hanna Bodner anchors the unit with 50 total draw controls, ranking No. 66 nationally and No. 2 in the conference at 4.55 per game, while also adding 24 goals offensively.

DEFENSE THROUGH DISRUPTION
MU ranks No. 32 nationally and No. 2 in the BIG EAST in caused turnovers per game (9.55), using ball pressure as a defensive identity. Sofia Santana leads the team with 23 caused turnovers (1.45 per game) and recently tied a Marquette single‑game record with seven caused turnovers at Xavier.

OFFENSIVE PRODUCTION THROUGHOUT ROSTER
Marquette’s balance continues to shine, with six players scoring at least 15 goals and five different Golden Eagles recording a game‑winning goal this season. MU’s +22 scoring margin reflects a team that combines offensive efficiency, possession control and defensive pressure entering the heart of BIG EAST play.

SERRANO’S BREAKOUT CAMPAIGN
Freshman Dani Serrano has emerged as one of the most productive newcomers in the nation. Serrano leads the BIG EAST and ranks No. 28 nationally with 23 assists, while her 2.09 assists per game rank No. 29 nationally. She also tops Marquette with 47 points, ranking No. 40 nationally and No. 2 in the league, and averaging 4.27 points per game.

OSBURN DELIVERS THE GOALS
Tess Osburn leads MU with 31 goals, ranking No. 42 nationally and No. 3 in the BIG EAST, and averages 2.82 goals per game (No. 45 nationally). Osburn also leads the conference with seven man‑up goals, consistently capitalizing on extra‑player opportunities.

BODNER’S TWO-WAY PRODUCTION
Hanna Bodner continues to be one of Marquette’s most complete and influential players, leading the Golden Eagles with 50 draw controls, ranking No. 66 nationally and No. 2 in the BIG EAST at 4.55 per game, and has helped MU rank No. 31 nationally and No. 2 in the conference in draw controls per game (13.82). Bodner has paired that possession impact with 24 goals and 28 points, giving Marquette a true two‑way presence who sets tempo, wins critical draws and contributes offensively in big moments as BIG EAST play continues.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.

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