Vanderbilt Lacrosse Faces Top-Ranked Denver in Crucial Home Match

On February 21, 2026, Vanderbilt Lacrosse keeps its homestand rolling with a big matchup against the No. 17/22 ranked Denver Pioneers. Vanderbilt sits at 1-2, while Denver comes in hot at 3-0, so there’s a lot at stake here.

The game’s happening at the Vanderbilt Lacrosse Complex in Nashville, Tennessee. If you can’t make it in person, you can catch it live on ESPN+.

Series History and Recent Performances

Vanderbilt and Denver go way back—their rivalry started in 1999. Denver leads the all-time series 8-4.

The last time Vanderbilt beat Denver at home was in 2020. Now, the Commodores are stuck on a three-game losing streak against the Pioneers, and you can bet they’re hungry to snap it in front of their own fans.

Vanderbilt’s Recent Form

Vanderbilt comes into the game 1-2, fresh off a gritty win over Mercer. Emme Martin, Gabby Putman, and Nancy Halleron have all stepped up lately.

Emme Martin snagged her first Goalie of the Week award after making a career-best 10 saves against Mercer. Gabby Putman, a freshman, got Freshman of the Week honors by scoring her first goal and grabbing nine draw controls.

Graduate student Nancy Halleron also had a big game, scoring four goals. These three have been the heartbeat of the team so far.

The Opponent: Denver Pioneers

Denver’s off to a flying start, beating Towson Tigers 15-11 in their opener. Their offense ranks 22nd in the country, and their defense sits comfortably in the top-15 for both scoring defense and margin.

They’re strong on both sides of the ball, so Vanderbilt’s got its work cut out.

Key Players to Watch

Olivia Ripple leads Denver with 11 goals this season. She’s second in the BIG EAST and 28th nationally, averaging 3.67 goals per game—best in the conference and 26th in the country.

Last year, Ripple dropped 10 goals in a single game against Marquette, setting a program record. Lexie Gwaku has been steady in goal, with 22 saves and a spotless 3-0 record.

Vanderbilt’s Hall of Fame Induction

Vanderbilt Athletics just inducted Michelle Allen into the 2025 Hall of Fame Class during a special ceremony on campus. Allen transferred to Vanderbilt in 2001 and quickly became a key piece of the program.

She led the team in assists and points as a junior and senior, and earned the American Lacrosse Conference Player of the Year in 2004. Her leadership guided Vanderbilt to the national semifinals that year, a huge moment for the program.

Allen’s Impact on Vanderbilt Lacrosse

Michelle Allen made a massive impact on Vanderbilt Lacrosse. As a junior, she led the team in ground balls, and as a senior, she dominated draw controls.

She picked up All-America honors and captained the squad that pulled off a historic upset over No. 4 seed Loyola (Md.) in the NCAA Tournament. Allen’s Hall of Fame induction feels more than deserved, honestly.

Looking Ahead: Keys to Victory for Vanderbilt

If Vanderbilt wants to pull off the win against Denver, a few things have to go right:

• Strong Defensive Play: Emme Martin needs to come up big in goal. If she can keep making clutch saves, Vanderbilt’s got a shot.
• Winning Draw Controls: Gabby Putman’s knack for draw controls will be huge. More possessions mean more chances to score.
• Effective Scoring: Nancy Halleron and the rest of the attack have to finish their chances and keep the shooting percentage high.
• Limiting Olivia Ripple: The defense has to find a way to slow down Olivia Ripple—no easy task, but it’s got to happen.

Fan Support and Home Advantage

Playing at home at the Vanderbilt Lacrosse Complex is a real boost. The crowd can fire up the team and make things tough for Denver.

Vanderbilt will try to ride that energy and get a much-needed win.

Conclusion

The upcoming match between Vanderbilt and Denver looks like it could be a real nail-biter. Both teams have a lot to prove this time around.