STORRS, Conn. – The 2023 BIG EAST Women’s Lacrosse Championship presented by JEEP concludes Sunday at 12 p.m. ET when No. 1 seed Denver plays No. 3 seed Connecticut at Joseph J. Morrone Stadium on the campus of the University of Connecticut. The winner of the BIG EAST Championship receives the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Championship. The Pioneers defeated No. 4 seed Villanova 12-7, while the Huskies outlasted No. 2 seed Marquette 17-16.

Denver is making its fifth consecutive title game appearance and seeking its third straight BIG EAST title. The Pioneers defeated Georgetown 16-15 in overtime to win the 2022 Championship. Denver has an 8-3 (.727) all-time record in the BIG EAST Championship, with all their appearances coming under current head coach Liza Kelly.

UConn is making its third overall final appearance and its first since 2021. The Huskies are seeking their first BIG EAST Championship title. UConn has a 3-6 (.333) all-time record in the conference postseason, with all its appearances coming under current head coach Katie Woods.

The last time the two teams met in the title game was in 2021 where Denver won its first BIG EAST title by a score of 13-7. Current Pioneers Julia Gilbert and Ellie Curry each had one goal, while Kayla DeRose scored two in the victory. For the Huskies, current players Kyra Place scored two goals, while Madelyn George netted one. Current Husky Grace Coon also added one assist.

Denver bested UConn in the regular season matchup between the two teams this season by a score of 14-9 on April 8 in Storrs, Conn. The Pioneers were led by Gilbert, Sloane Kipp and Ryan Dineen, who each scored three goals. On the UConn side, George, Lia LaPrise and Susan Lafountain each scored two goals to lead the Huskies.

Four major award winners will be on the field this Sunday. Two of the BIG EAST Co-Attackers of the Year will be in action with Kate Shaffer (UConn) and Gilbert (Denver). Shaffer totaled 79 points this season off 52 goals and 27 assists, while Gilbert tallied 55 points off 46 goals and nine assists. Unanimous BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year Sam Thacker and two-time BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year Landyn White will take the field, as well. Thacker had 42 ground balls this season and also caused 42 turnovers. White has made 181 saves this season and has a save percentage of .497.

For more information on the BIG EAST Women’s Lacrosse Championship, visit the Championship Central page.

BIG EAST Women’s Lacrosse Championship
Presented by JEEP
Semifinals – Friday, May 5
No. 3 seed UConn 17, No. 2 seed Marquette 16
No. 1 seed Denver 12, No. 4 seed Villanova 7
Final – Sunday, May 7 – FS2
No. 1 seed Denver at No. 3 seed UConn, 12 p.m.
All Times Eastern
All games played at Joseph J. Morrone Stadium – Storrs, Conn.