Aug. 27, 2004

Box Score

MISSOULA, Mont. - The University of Denver women's soccer team opened their season at the Montana Nike Cup with a 2-0 loss against Washington State this afternoon.

The Cougars struck early, in the 16th minute when Angela Fajardo fed the ball thru the middle to Alix Rustrum who ran onto it on a breakaway, and chipped it in past goalkeeper Danielle Wiley (Littleton, Colo.) to put them ahead by one goal.

Denver held the Cougars to one for the rest of the first half, and for much of the second until 68th minute when Rustrum scored her second goal of the evening off a cross from Cailan McCutchan. Washington State's offense proved to be unmatched by Denver for the duration of the game as it was out shot 18-4.

Late in the second half, the Pioneers had on opportunity to put one point on the board but Washington State goalkeeper Katie Hultin smothered the ball first, preventing senior Diana Brunkhardt (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) from capitalizing.

"These are the kind of organizational issues you have to expect in the first game of the season," said head coach Jeff Hooker. "Now the only thing we can do is regroup and move forward."

Denver returns to action in Missoula at the Montana Nike Cup on Sunday, Aug. 29, at noon against Idaho.

Denver 0 0 - 0Washington St. 1 1 - 2Goals: Washington St. 1. Alix Runstrum (Angela Fajardo) 15:22; 2. Washington St. Alix Runstrum (Haley Miller) 68:06Shots: Denver 2-2 - 4, Washington St. 9-9 - 18Corner Kicks: Denver 2-0 - 2, Washington St. 2-2 - 4Saves: Denver 6 (Danielle Wiley), Washington St. 4 (Katie Hultin 3, Team 1)Fouls: Denver 2, Washington St. 4Offsides: Denver 1, Washington St. 4Yellow Card:  None