Oct. 15, 2004

Box Score

DENVER - In two-overtimes, the University of Denver women's soccer team suffered a heartbreaking loss to Middle Tennessee, 2-1, on a rain soaked, dreary Pioneer Field Friday evening. The Pioneers now drop to 4-9-2, 2-2.

Although the Denver had opportunities to score, no goals were scored in the first half. Junior Carlynn McCallum (Denver, Colo.) had two unlucky shots, one that hit the crossbar and one that Middle Tennessee's keeper Jenny Manis was able to punch over the goal. It was not until the second half in the 65th minute when the Blue Raiders put the first point on the board. Laura Miguez crossed the ball to an open Clare Ward and Ward took two dribbles, got the shot off and put the ball over keeper Danielle Wiley's (Littleton, Colo.) head to the upper right corner.

Denver got the equalizer in the 79th minute, from what started as a corner kick taken by freshman Jenna Billingsley (Littleton, Colo.). Senior Diana Brunkhardt (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) got a foot on it and served the ball right to sophomore Laura Mann's (Fort Collins, Colo.) forehead, heading it in past Manis.

Neither the Pioneers nor the Blue Raiders could find the back of the net by the end of regulation. An aggressive attempt was put fourth by the Pioneers, but they were unable to score. The game winning goal was scored by Sun Belt Conference leading scorer Debs Brereton in the 106th minute to put the Blue Raiders over the Pioneers, 2-1. This was the Blue Raider's first ever win against the Pioneers.

"We really pushed hard for the win" said head coach Jeff Hooker. "Our first goal really showed character, but it still disappointing that the lone opportunity Middle Tennessee had in both overtimes combine they scored on."

The Pioneers return to action on Sunday in the first game of the doubleheader against Western Kentucky at Pioneer Field at 11 a.m. The University of Denver men's soccer team will play the second game against Mountain Pacific Sports Federation rival No. 3 New Mexico at 1 p.m.