Sept. 17, 2004

BOULDER, Colo. - In the first game of the Colorado Women's Soccer Classic Friday afternoon, the University of Denver women's soccer team tied the Wyoming Cowgirls 1-1.

Denver had several chances throughout the game to score but was unable to convert a game winner. It was not until the second half, in the 60th minute, that Denver scored to put them ahead, 1-0. Senior Maggie Kirchhoff (Redondo Beach, Calif.), took a free kick and served it to sophomore Lleane Grimditch (Boulder, Colo.), who got a head on the ball and bounced off the shoulder of a Cowgirl defender.

The rest of the second half Denver was unable to put another goal on the board. In the 85th minute, Wyoming evened the score 1-1 when Darci Ferrell served the ball in middle to Meghan Racette, who shot it right past sophomore goalkeeper Danielle Wiley (Littleton, Colo.) on the left side.

Denver missed many opportunities to score. Sophomore Holly Huppert (Littleton, Colo.), freshman Taryn Hemmings (Greeley, Colo.), seniors Leah Becherer (Oakland, Calif.) and Diana Brunkhardt (Manhattan Beach, Calif.), freshman Emily Niven (Studio City, Calif.), Kirchhoff and Grimditch all had at least one shot on goal.

Sophomore Laura Mann (Fort Collins, Colo.) was marking the Cowgirls most powerful and aggressive player and shut her down in the second half, allowing her three shots on goal.

The game could not be decided in 90 minutes so it went into overtime. Two overtimes and 110 minutes later, no player from any team was able to put the ball in the back of the net.

"Overall this was not our best performance," said head coach Jeff Hooker. "We had a couple chances to get a game-winning goal but couldn't convert."

The Pioneers return to action on Sunday at 1 p.m. when they square off against instate rival Colorado at Pleasant Valley Soccer Complex.