Aug. 29, 2003
Box Score
DENVER - A hat trick from senior Jenni Harris (Littleton, Colo.) sparked the University of Denver women's soccer team to a 3-0 season-opening victory over Northern Colorado Friday afternoon at Pioneer Field. Harris is the first player to record three goals in a game since Molly George on September 18, 2001 against Colorado. This is the fourth consecutive year the Pioneers have opened their season with a win and this game marks their 15th straight victory at home, a school record.
The offense took some time to warm up but soon gained momentum. Twenty-eight minutes into the first half, freshman Lleane Grimditch (Boulder, Colo.) recorded her first career assist by stealing the ball from a Northern Colorado defender and making a perfect cross to Harris. Harris quickly controlled the ball and flicked it in for the first goal of the game.
In the second half, Denver continued its attacking dominance. In the 60th minute, senior Jamie Norwood (Littleton, Colo.) launched a corner kick to midfield. Harris headed the ball in the air past the UNC goalie for her second tally of the day.
Harris completed her hat trick with help from freshman Laura Mann (Fort Collins, Colo.), who carried the ball up the right side of the field and drilled a pass at Harris' feet. Harris quickly turned and scored for her third goal of the game and her first career hat trick.
The Pioneer defense held the Bears to just 4 shots on the day. Goalie junior Cassandra Kaeding (Saugus, Calif.) recorded her first career win. Freshman Danielle Wiley (Littleton, Colo.) played the entire second half and also prevented the Bears from scoring.
"Jenni came out and did what we expect our seniors to do," head coach Jeff Hooker said. "She produced goals that we needed. Our team stepped it up in the second half. We saw a progression during the game and hope to continue that progression for the rest of the season."
Denver returns to action this Sunday, August 31, to face the national defending champion Portland at Pioneer Field. The game begins at noon and admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children and seniors.
