Denison Field Hockey Ends Season in NCAA Tournament

SALISBURY, MD -- Denison (12-7) fell 5-0 to No. 5-ranked Salisbury (18-2) in the first round of the NCAA Division III field hockey tournament on Wednesday, November 12.
 
The Big Red entered the NCAA tournament after earning a share of the North Coast Athletic Conference crown and securing the conference tournament championship. The Big Red cap their 2025 campaign with a 12-7 record and an 8-1 mark in league play. Salisbury will advance to the second round to take on Dickinson (19-3) on Saturday, November 15. The second-round matchup is slated for 2:00 p.m.
 
#8 SALISBURY 5, DENISON 0
  • Denison held firm defensively in the opening quarter against No. 5 Salisbury, keeping the nationally ranked Sea Gulls off the scoreboard despite several early penalty corners. Denison sophomore goalkeeper Therese Lucian (Mickleton, NJ/Tower Hill School (DE)) anchored the Big Red backline with key saves on three attempts. Although Salisbury controlled much of the early possession, Denison stayed composed under pressure and entered the second quarter in a 0-0 stalemate.
  • Denison continued to battle against heavy offensive pressure from No. 5 Salisbury in the second quarter. Lucian stayed sharp, turning away several close-range shots and stopping back-to-back attempts early in the frame. The Big Red earned a penalty corner midway through the period and generated a blocked shot from junior Reilly Desmond (Eagle, CO/Proctor Academy (NH)), showing flashes of attack while taking advantage of a Salisbury green card. Despite the strong defensive effort, Salisbury broke through with back-to-back goals by Morgan Bradford and Alex Kupper that were scored 57 seconds apart late in the quarter to take a 2-0 lead into halftime.
  • Denison showed resilience in the third quarter, creating some of its best offensive looks of the game while continuing to withstand Salisbury’s attack. Lucian came up big multiple times, stopping three shots in quick succession to keep the Big Red within reach. Denison also generated back-to-back penalty corners, with first-year Lulu Keil (Lake Forest, IL/Lake Forest) and  junior Emma Gebhart (Carlisle, MA/Concord Carlisle) forcing key defensive stops. Despite the offensive push by the Big Red, Salisbury broke through at the very end of the quarter with a penalty corner as Caroline Pusey scored, extending the Sea Gulls’ lead to 3-0.
  • Denison continued to battle in the final quarter, but Salisbury’s offense proved too strong late in the game. Lucian continued to work hard in the cage, keeping the Big Red competitive despite multiple penalty corners and sustained pressure from the Sea Gulls. Denison generated a few offensive chances, including a penalty corner and a shot from Gebhart, but could not convert. Salisbury scored twice late, with Marli McDorman and Pusey finding the net, pushing the final score to 5-0. Despite the five-goal loss, Denison showed resilience and fight throughout, especially in limiting scoring opportunities early in the quarter.
  • Lucian highlighted the Big Red as she tallied 12 saves on 17 shots faced, while Gebhart finished with a team-high two shots.

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