Nov. 4, 2006

Box Score

LAFAYETTE, La. - The University of Denver women's soccer team capped an amazing conference run by beating North Texas 4-0 on Saturday to capture its fourth Sun Belt Conference title in six years and its first since 2003. The Pioneers did not allow a singe goal throughout the tournament, outscoring their opponents 9-0.

The Pioneers got on the board early with a goal by senior Lleane Grimditch (Boulder, Colo.) in the second minute when she took a pass from junior Jenna Billingsley (Littleton, Colo.) and found the back of the net for her first goal of the tournament. Billingsley added a goal of her own when she converted on a penalty kick in the 35th minute.

In the second half Denver put the game away, scoring two goals. Junior Taryn Hemmings took a pass from sophomore Jessica Keller (Ralston Valley, Colo.) and freshman Lizzy Carlson (Honolulu, Hawaii) and found the back of the net for the fifth time of the tournament. Billingsley put the game away just two minutes later when she found the back of the net for the second time of the game.

Denver was led by tournament MVP Hemmings, who scored five goals in the tournament including a hat trick in the first round against UALR on Nov. 1. Hemmings also tallied an assist in the semifinal win over Florida Atlantic on Nov. 2. The Denver defense was outstanding, shutting out each team in the tournament.

"We played together very well as a team," head coach Jeff Hooker said. "We played great team defense and didn't allow our opponents a lot of time on the ball."

Senior Dani Wiley (Littleton, Colo.) made four saves in the win over North Texas. Wiley and sophomore Mackenzie Snyder (Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.) combined for the shutout, Denver's 11th of the season.

Denver will be making its third ever appearance in the NCAA Women's College Cup, its first since a 2-0 loss to Cal in 2003.

The Pioneers will find out who they face in the 2006 Women's College Cup on Monday, Nov. 6 when the selection show airs live on ESPNEWS between 1-2 p.m. MT.