Nov. 10, 2006

Box Score

BOULDER, Colo. - The University of Denver women's soccer team made history on Friday when it defeated Kentucky, 2-0, for it's first-ever NCAA Women's College Cup win. It was DU's sixth straight shutout and 15th consecutive win.

"It's an unbelievable feeling," said junior Jenna Billingsley (Littleton, Colo.). "It's great to continue DU's soccer tradition."

The first half was controlled by the Pioneers as they shot lights out, taking nine in the half. Denver had two great scoring chances when senior Lleane Grimditch (Boulder, Colo.) and junior Elise Mascitelli (Denver, Colo.) both narrowly missed putting in Denver's first-ever NCAA Women's College Cup goal.

Billingsley got the Pioneers first goal when she took a pass from sophomore Dana Schonberger (Littleton, Colo.) and put the ball in the back of the net in the 47th minute of the game for the Pioneers first ever NCAA Women's College Cup goal, which put Denver ahead 1-0. The goal would stand as the game winner.

"We knew we needed to get a scrappy goal," said Billingsey.

Just four minutes later Grimditch put in Denver's second goal when she stole the ball inside Kentucky's box and slipped it passed the Wildcat goalkeeper, Anne Ogundele, to give the Pioneers a 2-0 lead.

"I got blocked off the ball," Grimditch said. "I fought through the block and put the ball passed the goalie."

Denver would clamp down on defense after the two goals, not allowing a UK shot in the second half en route to its 14th shutout of the season.

Senior Dani Wiley (Littleton, Colo.) needed just two saves to notch her 50th career win, which puts her alone atop the program's all-time goalkeeper wins list. The shutout was Wiley's eighth of the season.

The Pioneers played stifling defense behind an outstanding offense that has outscored its opponents 73-9 this season.

"Our group is so deep we haven't had to rely on our goal scorers every game," head coach Jeff Hooker said. "We've had so many players helping on offense, especially in the second half of this game."

Denver will play Colorado on Sunday, Nov. 12 at noon in Boulder, Colo. after CU beat Colorado College 2-1 on Friday. This is the first time any Sun Belt Conference team has ever advanced to the round of 32 in the NCAA Women's College Cup.