Nov. 3, 2001

Box Score

The University of Denver women's soccer team enjoyed the sweet taste of success after winning the 2001 Sun Belt Conference title with a convincing 2-1 victory over No. 1 seeded North Texas on Saturday night (Nov. 3) at University Park in Miami, Fla. The Pioneers earned the school's first Division I Sun Belt Conference title.

The Pioneers surrendered the opening kick off to North Texas, but took control of the game as soon as the ball play was put in play and never looked back. Denver completely dominated every aspect of the contest and proved that they are deserving of an NCAA playoff match.

Denver initiated the offensive assault early with five shots before the Lady Eagles were able to counter. Sophomore Jenni Harris (Littleton, Colo.) put Denver on the board first with her second goal of the tournament five minutes into the game. The goal was set up by freshman Maggie Kirchhoft (Coronado, Calif.), who beat her defender in the right corner before sending a centering pass in front of the net that Harris chipped into the short side to give Denver a 1-0 lead.

North Texas attempted to attack late in the first half but was denied a legitimate scoring chance and held to just one shot. The Pioneers dominated every battle at midfield and controlled possession on both ends of the field through the first 45 minutes of play and entered the recess with a one goal advantage.

Just over three minutes into the second half the Pioneers struck again to take a 2-0 lead. Senior Molly George (Santa Fe, N.M.) used her fancy footwork to dribble by two defenders in the left corner before giving up the ball to sophomore Melissa Behrent (Westminster, Colo.) in front of the net. Behrent faked a shot on goal and then chipped a pass high to junior Camile Flenniken (Northglenn, Colo.) who headed the ball over UNT's keeper to put the game out of reach.

The Lady Eagles persisted on keeping the game close and rallied for eight shots in the second half but were deprived by junior keeper Erica Izard (Fort Collins, Colo.) who made five highlight-reel saves. The Lady Eagles recorded their lone goal of the match after being awarded a penalty kick late in the game when freshman Liesl Becker (Littleton, Colo.) fouled a UNT forward inside the box following a failed corner kick attempt. Denver's suffocating defense shut down North Texas in the waning minutes to preserve the well-earned victory.

"The girls played a tremendous game tonight," said assistant coach Scott DeDycker. "Kristin (Warren ) and Camile (Flenniken) both played exceptional in the middle. This team set a goal at the beginning of the season to win this tournament and they did it. They have worked so hard all season and played so well this weekend that they definitely deserve this."

The Pioneers swept the all-tournament awards as well with a league-high four honors, which included Flenniken, Harris and juniors Kristin Warren (Littleton, Colo.) and Katie Antongiovanni (Bakersfield, Calif.) on the all-tournament team. Warren, who dominated the midfield all weekend long, was also named the SBC Tournament MVP.

The Pioneers, who now have a 14-game unbeaten streak and a Sun Belt Conference title, will now await a decision by the NCAA selection committee to determine their next opponent. Denver has dominated opponents all season long and has proven that they are deserving of a post-season bid. The final 64-team field, which is comprised of 28 automatic selections and 36 at-large picks, will be released on Monday, November 12. The opening round of the 2002 Women's College Cup will take place Nov. 16-18.