DENVER Freshman midfielder Bria Beardsley (Mission Viejo, Calif.) tallied the game-winning goal on a penalty kick in the 33rd minute to help the University of Denver women’s soccer team defeat the University of Arkansas at Little Rock 3-1 at Pioneer Field on Sunday afternoon.

 

A frustrated UALR defense took down senior forward Taryn Hemmings (Greeley, Colo.) inside the box in the 33rd minute, and the officials awarded Denver a penalty kick. Beardsley scored the game-winner and gave the Pioneers the 2-1 lead with a high shot to the left side.

 

“I thought we really stepped it up in the second half,” head coach Jeff Hooker said. “We were able to come away with another hard-fought victory against a tough conference opponent.”

 

Denver (14-1-2, 7-0-1 SBC) took a 1-0 lead in the eighth minute. Junior forward Mariah Johnston (Littleton, Colo.) sent in a corner kick from the right corner and sophomore defender Jessie Rogers (Fort Collins, Colo.) one-timed it past Trojan keeper Jane Picarelli from six yards out.

 

UALR (6-10-1, 2-6-0 SBC) then tallied the equalizer in the 26th minute. Junior goalkeeper Mackenzie Snyder (Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.) misread a chipped shot by Grace Rich from 35 yards out, and the ball bounced over her head.

 

“We started off very strong and played well in the first 20 minutes,” Hooker said. “We became fatigued, which led to some good opportunities for UALR. However, we responded very well after they scored their goal.”

 

Beardsley improved to 2-for-2 in penalty kicks on the season and gave Denver the 2-1 advantage heading into the half. The Pioneers outshot the Trojans 13-5 in the opening stanza.

 

Just 45 seconds into the second half, Rich ripped a shot on goal for UALR, but Snyder made the save.

 

The next 15 minutes saw the Pioneers outshoot the Trojans 5-0, including a Johnston free kick that sail just over the crossbar after UALR’s defense again dragged down Hemmings, this time just outside of the box.

 

With 17:49 to play, UALR had a chance to tie the game when DU fouled the visitors about 20 yards out. A wall of five Denver players obstructed the net for Danielle Dunsworth, and her shot went high and to the right of the net.

 

The Pioneers received an insurance goal when junior forward Kelli Breidenbach (Fort Collins, Colo.) tallied her fourth goal of the season in the 88th minute. Hemmings sent in a cross from the right corner, and Breidenbach one-timed it in to give DU the 3-1 victory.

 

Snyder finished with a game-high eight saves, while Picarelli made six for the Trojans.

 

The Pioneers face Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee in their final home games of the season next weekend. Denver meet WKU on Friday, Oct. 24 at 3 p.m. and Middle Tennessee on Sunday, Oct. 26 at noon.

 

 

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