Aug. 28, 2005

Box Score

DENVER - The University of Denver women's soccer team lost its 2005 home opener to Vanderbilt University, 2-0, at Pioneer Field. The Commodores Kelci Hegg scored both of their goals.

"This was a typical first game for us, being that we weren't remarkably sharp," said head coach Jeff Hooker. "We got out muscled a little bit and we let that bother us in the first half. We made some adjustments it the second half and had some positive results."

The Commodores had the first quality scoring opportunity of the afternoon. Midfielder Lauren Mitchell ripped a shot from the 18 yard line, but it was stymied by Pioneer goalkeeper, Dani Wiley (Littleton, Colo.), who punched it out of the air. Vanderbilt counter attacked with another quick shot once the ball hit the ground but Wiley managed to scoop the ball up for the save.

Vanderbilt took the 1-0 lead into halftime on a Hegg goal. In the 21st minute of the game, Hegg put the ball behind Wiley, after Wiley made an initial save on another Vanderbilt shot moments earlier.

In the second half the Pioneers picked up the intensity and matched Vanderbilt's physical play. The Pioneers also created some quality scoring opportunities. Sophomore Taryn Hemmings (Greeley, Colo.) had a breakaway that was picked off by Vanderbilt goalkeeper, Tyler Griffin and sophomore Jenna Billingsley (Littleton, Colo.) had a shot that went just wide of the net.

"It was that we didn't have opportunities said Hooker. We had two quality opportunities that could have been game changers. If we make it a tie game I think we have a really good chance."

The Pioneer defense did a tremendous job working to keep the ball out of the backfield.

"The defense did a great job, for only playing together for two weeks. For several of those ladies it was their first collegiate game and they managed to give us a fighting chance," said Hooker.

Vanderbilt put the game winner in the back of the net in the 76th minute. Hegg received a pass that went through the Pioneer defenders and she put the ball in the lower left hand corner of the goal.

Denver returns to action Friday Sept. 2, when it welcomes Northeastern, Wyoming and Colorado to Pioneer Field for the Denver Soccer Classic. The Pioneers square off against instate rival Colorado in a 4 p.m. match.