On Feb. 9, the University of Denver women’s lacrosse team will strut onto the newly improved Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium for the 2024 season opener against Louisville. Last season, the Pioneers made program history by going undefeated (17-0) in the regular season and finishing 22-1 overall after falling to Northwestern in the national semifinals. With the majority of last year’s team returning, expectations are high. The DU Newsroom spoke with head coach Liza Kelly, attacker Julia Gilbert and defenders Sam Thacker and Trinity McPherson about what to watch for as the reigning Big East champions vie for a national championship title. More powerful offense Gilbert, who led DU in scoring during the 2023 campaign, is returning for a fifth and final year. Last season, she recorded a career high in goals (59) and points (67) and a second consecutive season of scoring 60 or more points. She scored in all 23 games for the Pioneers and led the team with eight game-winning goals. While her