Sept. 6, 2002
Box Score
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. - Senior midfielder Kristin Warren (Littleton, Colo.) headed in her second goal of the season with just under nine minutes to play in the first half and senior keeper Erica Izard (Fort Collins, Colo.) recorded six saves to rally the University of Denver women's soccer team to a hard-fought 1-1 tie with Arizona State on Friday afternoon at the Sky Sox Complex in Colorado Springs, Colo. Denver remains unbeaten in its second straight match this season and improves to 1-0-1, Arizona State also remains unbeaten and improves to 1-0-2.
The Sun Devils came out and controlled play early in the contest and forced Denver's attack to retreat to the defensive zone. Arizona State took advantage of the initial momentum swing and lit the scoreboard in the fifth minute with a goal by Patrice Feulner to take a 1-0 lead. ASU midfielder Brittany Cooper took control of loose ball in the offensive zone after a Denver defender failed to clear the ball and sent a crossing pass on net that found the Feulner in front of the goal, who tipped the ball over Izard into the upper right corner.
The Pioneers refused to panic and retaliated with an attack of their own. Arizona State attempted to control the pressure but surrendered late in the half when Warren tallied the game-tying goal. Junior midfielder Melissa Behrent (Westminster, Colo.) set up the goal when she drew a foul deep in the final third that resulted in a free kick. Junior defender Jamie Norwood (Littleton, Colo.) took the kick from the right corner and sent the ball into the box that Warren won in the air and sent into the back of the net to knot the game, 1-1.
The game tightened in the second half as both teams battled for possessions in the middle third and challenged for second balls. Denver created multiple scoring chances midway through the period, but was unable to convert. ASU mounted a late-game rally and appeared to have scored the game-winner with a centering pass from the left side of the field. Izard jumped to make the initial save and punched the ball in the air and a battle ensued in front of the wide-open goal, but senior forward Kerri Weaver (Littleton, Colo.) won the skirmish and headed the ball safely out of play to preserve the tie.
Both teams rallied for four shots each in the extra periods, but were unable to capitalize and ended the game without a decision. Arizona State a slight advantage over Denver in shots, 18-15 and both squads were unsuccessful in each of their three corner kick attempts. Kelly Fitzgerald collected two saves for Sun Devils.
Denver will return to action on Sunday (Sept. 8) when they travel west to play San Diego State in a non-conference match. Kick-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. mountain time at Torero Stadium in San Diego, Calif.
