Sept. 13, 2002

Box Score

PORTLAND, ORE. - The University of Denver women's soccer team persevered together for 90 minutes and celebrated a game-winning goal by senior midfielder Katie Antongiovanni (Bakersfield, Calif.) in their shocking upset of No. 16 Washington, 1-0, on Friday afternoon (Sept. 13) in the opening game of the Nike Portland Invitational at Harry A. Merlo Field in Portland, Ore. With the win Denver remains unbeaten to open the season and improves to 2-0-2, Washington drops its second straight game and falls to 3-2-0.

The first half was full of action on both ends of the field as each team traded possessions and scoring chances. The Pioneers held Washington scoreless on all four corner kick attempts and missed their lone try in the period, but was able to muster five shots in the opening frame. Senior netminder Erica Izard (Fort Collins, Colo.) was on top of her game in the initial period with six saves, Husky keeper Hope Solo was credited with two in the half. Denver was awarded four free kick attempts in the final third, but was unable to convert the scoring chances as each team entered the intermission scoreless.

The Pioneers dominated play through the midfield in the early minutes of the second half and produced three shots, but they were unable to hold off the potent Husky attack for long as Washington retaliated with three shots of its own. Denver's efforts would no go unnoticed for long, however, as they celebrated midway through the half when Antongiovanni tallied the go-ahead goal in the 58th minute. Junior midfielder Melissa Behrent (Westminster, Colo.) set up the marker when she intercepted a failed clearing pass by a Husky defender and at the top of the box and directed it to Antongiovanni trailing the play on the right side. Antongiovanni flicked a give-and-go pass to senior linemate Camile Flenniken (Northglenn, Colo.) and then streaked by two Washington defenders to the return pass. After Solo committed to the near side of the goal, Antongiovanni chipped a rolling shot towards the far post that found the back of the net to break the scoreless tie and give Denver a 1-0 lead.

"Because the defense played so well in the first half we were energized with confidence in the second half and knew we could win this game," said Antongiovanni. "We have been practicing so hard all week and were aware of what we needed to do to win. This is just a great feeling to come out here and get it done against a great team."

The Huskies' offensive pressure intensified late in the game but Izard answered the challenge with some big saves down the stretch to preserve the lead. Denver's confidence grew stronger in the waning minutes as the defense, which has been nothing short of spectacular this season, suffocated the nationally-ranked Husky attack to earn its second shutout of the season.

The faithful contingency of Denver supporters were treated to history in the making as Denver becomes the first unranked team to defeat Washington since Washington State (1-0) on Nov. 3, 2000. The Pioneers are also the first team to hold the Huskies, who have averaged 3.5 goals per game this season, scoreless since Portland handed them a 2-0 loss in the second round of the 2001 NCAA Tournament on Nov. 18, 2001.

"What a great win this was," said Hooker. "A win like this gives the players a sense of how good they can be and how good they can play when they all work together. It is also a big confidence booster for them to know that they can play with some very good teams and come away with a victory."

Denver will return to action on Sunday (Sept. 15) in the final match of the 2002 Nike Portland Invitational against No. 17 Portland at 3:15 p.m. mountain time.