GAMBIER, Ohio -- The Kenyon College women's lacrosse team's stellar undefeated stretch ended as the Owls fell 14-8 against the Denison University Big Red in the 2023 North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) Tournament Championship.

The Owls, who saw a program-record winning streak end at 17, which is also a program-record win total, finished as the runner-up to the Big Red as the teams flipped finishing positions from last year's NCAC Tournament finale. Last season, Kenyon claimed the Tournament title with a 12-10 win on their home turf. However, this season did not produce the same result.

Denison took an early 1-0 lead before Kenyon bounced back with two rapid-fire goals. The first came from Caroline O'Neil, the team's leading scorer, as she pumped in her 56th goal of the season to tie the score. It took the Owls just 27 seconds to add another. Ashley Quinn caused a turnover after Denison controlled the draw, and the first-year fired in her season's 16th score.

Unfortunately for Kenyon, the 2-1 advantage was the last time the Owls were on the right side of the scoreboard. The Big Red bounced back with three unanswered goals, including two of the man-up variety, to end the first period with a 4-2 lead.

Spencer Kirsch and Lily Mason broke through to tie the game at 4-4 early in the second quarter, but another man-up goal gave the lead back to Denison. Enter Quinn, who willed the Owls to another tie. The midfielder pressed up as the Big Red attempted to clear the ball, but Quinn's tenacity caused a turnover that she scooped up. Going one-on-two against a defender and the keeper, Quinn's quest for another goal was successful, tying the game at 5-5.

From there, it was all Denison. The Big Red carried a 7-5 lead into the halftime break, and after Ella Murphy cut the deficit to 7-6, Denison rattled off six straight goals between the third and fourth frames. 

The Owls managed to shave two goals off the 13-6 lead midway through the fourth period, but Denison controlled possession, locked down defensively, and added another score to clinch the 14-8 victory. The teams were close in most statistical categories, but Denison capitalized on Kenyon's penalties as the Owls were issued four yellow cards compared to one yellow and one green for the Big Red.

Denison's Caroline O'Dae was excellent in goal, securing 13 saves with a .619 save percentage. The senior goalkeeper was named the MVP of the NCAC All-Tournament Team for her efforts.

Maren Helmacy, Kirsch, Murphy, and Quinn represented the Owls on the All-Tournament Team.

Despite faltering in the tournament finale and seeing Denison earn the NCAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament, Kenyon, ranked No. 18 and No. 21 in a pair of national polls and first in the NCAA's Region VI DIII regional rankings, will have an opportunity to continue their postseason push with an at-large berth. The NCAA will announce the 2023 Tournament field on their online selection show starting at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, May 8.