Nov. 13, 2003
PORTLAND -
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Next On Tap
The Pioneers will travel to Portland, Ore., this week to compete in the first round of the 2003 NCAA Women's College Cup. Denver won the 2003 SBC regular season and took top honors in the SBC Tournament, receiving an automatic bid to the NCAA for the third consecutive year. The Pioneers defeated Portland this year, winning 4-3, in overtime on Aug. 31, in Denver.
About the Pilots
Portland is currently ranked fifth in the nation. The Pilots are the No. 8 seed in the NCAA Tournament and out to defend their national title. Last season they defeated Santa Clara (2-1) in the final game to clinch the championship title.
Lindsey Huie leads the attack for UP this season with a team-high 33 points (10 goals, 13 assists). Huie has been joined up front by Wanda Rozwadowska with 17 points (seven goals, three assists) and Kristen Moore with 17 points (five goals, seven assists).
Cori Alexander has been the mainstay in goal for the Pilots this year. She has played in 20 games, allowed 12 goals and recorded 52 saves. She boasts a 0.61 GAA and a 0.812 saves percentage. As a keeper she has accumulated an overall record of 16-3-1 this season and is responsible for 10 shutouts.
The Pilots are averaging 15.9 shots per outing, and 2.5 goals per game. They have out scored opponents 50-13, out shot opponents 319-153 and edged them in corner kicks 87-47.
Ranking Report
The Pioneers received their highest ranking in the history of Denver soccer in the NSCAA poll on Sept. 2. They peaked at No. 9 in the coaches' poll. They are currently ranked No. 10 in the Central Region in both the coaches' and Soccer Buzz polls.
Last Time Out
Freshman Lleane Grimditch (Boulder, Colo.) scored the winning goal in overtime to put Denver over North Texas 1-0, and clinch the tournament crown on Nov. 8, in Bowling Green, Ky. Junior Diana Brunkhardt (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) notched the assist. The Pioneers improved to (18-3-0) overall on the season, winning their last 10 out of 11 SBC tournament games.
Shutting Them Out
Freshman keeper Danielle Wiley (Littleton, Colo.) has allowed just 12 goals this season and boasts a career-best 0.72 GAA. She made 10 total saves during the SBC Tournament and shutout all three opponents. She is now in sole possession of first place on Denver's single-season win percentage list (0.875). She has shutout 11 of her last 16 opponents by allowing on average less than one goal per game (0.72). Wiley's shutout record stands fifth on Denver's single-season list. She ranks in first place in the SBC for shutouts (11) and in shutouts per game (.688).
Home Sweet Home
Denver has won 20 of its last 21 games at home, dating back to last season. In addition, the Pioneers have won their last 30 out of 31 regular-season SBC games and are unbeaten at home against an SBC opponent.
Breaking Into the NCAA
The Pioneers currently stand at No. 6 in the NCAA for winning percentage (0.875). They are also ranked ninth for scoring offense, averaging 2.76 goals per game. Denver's shutout percentage (0.57) places them at No. 16 in the NCAA.
Rising To The Top
Denver now has two players in the top-11 on it's all-time points list. Mychael Movius is 11th all-time with 57 career points (20g, 17a) and Jenni Harris now ranks fifth with 73 points (30 goals, 13 assists). Harris also ranks in first place for goals scored in one season with 17 and is tied for second for points on Denver's single-season marks with 40.
Lleane Grimditch stands tied for second on Denver's top-10 for single-season points list with 35. She is tied for second on the single-season list for goals with 14. Jamie Norwood broke Denver's all-time assist record this year on Oct. 12 against Northern Arizona. She leads the team in assists with eight this season and stands atop Denver's all-time assist list with 39.
The Numbers Game
For the season, Denver has out scored opponents (58-18), out shot them (343-164) and has earned more corner kicks (109-43). The Pioneers have also recorded 12 shutouts this year. Denver's defense has dominated opposing attacks this season and has held opponents to less than eight shots per game (7.9 spg).
Leading By Example
The Pioneers have dominated the SBC this season and won their second SBC regular-season title with a 7-1-0 mark. Denver has shutout five SBC opponents in eight matches. The Pioneers also won their third consecutive SBC tournament crown. They shutout every opponent they faced and out scored opponents, 7-0.
Score Early and Often
The Pioneers have proved to be unstoppable when scoring the first goal of a match this season. On the season, Denver has dominated the first half, out scoring opponents 25-7 and out shooting them 165-87. Denver has a perfect 16-0-0 mark when scoring the first goal, compared to a 2-3-0 record when allowing the opening tally. Additionally, the Pioneers are 13-0-0 this season when holding a lead at halftime and are 4-1-0 when tied at the recess. Denver is also 14-1-0 on the season when recording two or more goals and 10-0-0 when three or more markers are on the board.
Firsts of the Year
Four Pioneers recorded season-firsts this year. Senior forward Mychael Movius became the first Pioneer this season to be named the SBC Player of the Week on Sept. 2. Senior defender Jamie Norwood became the first Pioneer to be named the Soccer America Team of the Week on Aug. 29. reshman forward Lleane Grimdtich was the first Pioneer named to the Soccer Buzz Elite Team of the Week on Sept. 16. Sophomore forward Amanda Groneman recorded her first career point this season with a goal against Seton Hall on Sept. 21. Junior Leah Becherer also recorded her first career goal against Louisiana-Lafayette on Oct. 26. Sophomore Ashley Donnell also contributed to Denver's offense by scoring her first career goal in the SBC Tournament against Louisiana-Lafayette on Nov. 5.
A Little Help
Denver's front line rotation has been strong this season, due in large part to the depth of the Pioneer lineup. Freshman Danielle Weintraub and sophomore Carlynn McCallum have contributed 12 points to Denver's offense.
Special Teams Matter
Denver has been superb on special teams this season. The Pioneers have recorded 13 goals from dead ball situations, including free kicks, corner kicks, long throw-ins and penalty shots.
Newcomers Shine
With the loss of top-athletes Katie Antongiovanni, Kristin Warren, Kerri Weaver and Erica Izard, the freshmen class had big shoes to fill. The Pioneer roster is comprised of seven freshman, five of whom played together for the Colorado Girls Soccer Academy and made it to the National Semifinals. Lleane Grimditch took over as the leading scorer, tallying 14 goals and 7 assists on the season. She is paired with Laura Mann at midfield. Mann's aggressiveness on the field and her ability to win balls in the air make her a key asset to the team. Jamie Dierberger solidifies the back line for Denver. Along with her superb defensive skills, she also serves as a secret weapon on offense. She scored both game winners against Louisiana-Lafayette on Oct. 26, and Seton Hall on Sept. 21. Elise Mascitelli uses her speed on the outside to beat defenders. She has been vital to Denver's offensive success. Danielle Wiley has stepped up as Denver's primary keeper this season. She is 14-2 on the year, shutting out 11 of the 16 opponents she faced. Her energetic and confident playing style gives reassurance to her teammates.
The Seniors
As team captain, Jamie Norwood has led her team to another winning season. After the loss of Mychael Movius in the line-up, Jenni Harris stepped in to fill the gap. She leads the team in points with 40 (17 goals, 6 assists). Melissa Behrent used her speed to cut through defenders and add points to Denver's offense. Lauren Sutton was required to sit the season out because of concussions, but was an integral part of boosting the Pioneers' morale.
All-SBC Honors
Five Pioneers were named to the All-SBC first-team. Seniors Jamie Norwood, Melissa Behrent, junior Maggie Kirchhoff, and freshmen Laura Mann and Lleane Grimditch were all awarded the honors. Senior Jenni Harris was named to the All-SBC second-team. Grimditch was named Freshman of the Year for her performances.
SBC Tournament Honors
The Pioneers won the SBC Tournament for the third consecutive year. Four members of Denver's team were named to the all-tournament team. Seniors Jamie Norwood and Jenni Harris, and freshman Laura Mann and Lleane Grimditch were all named to the team. Grimditch was also named the tournament Most Outstanding Player after scoring the game-winning goal against North Texas in the championship game.
