DENVER The University of Denver women’s soccer team earned its seventh straight victory with a 2-0 win over visiting Florida Atlantic at Pioneer Field on Sunday afternoon.

 

Junior midfielder Lizzy Carlson (Honolulu, Hawaii) tallied the game-winning goal in the 24th minute. Freshman midfielder Kari Storslett (Bakersfield, Calif.) played a cross from the left side, and Carlson one-timed it past FAU keeper Jessica Badders from less than two yards out. The tally gave the Pioneers a 1-0 lead they would not relinquish.

 

“Defensively, we played very sound as a unit today,” head coach Jeff Hooker said. “We were able to play a number of people today, and everyone stuck to the task. We still need to work on finishing in the final third of the field, but getting a win against a quality opponent in conference play is always exciting.”

 

Denver (11-1-1, 4-0-0) had one of its best scoring opportunities just 11:36 into the game. Sophomore forward Lauren Cavarra (Littleton, Colo.) collected a backward pass from senior forward Taryn Hemmings (Greeley, Colo.) but drilled the shot just over the crossbar.

 

Florida Atlantic (1-8-1, 0-3-1 SBC) did not record its first shot until the 38th minute, nearly 15 minutes after Carlson recorded her second goal of the season to give DU the 1-0 lead. Sophomore defender Jessie Rogers (Fort Collins, Colo.) blocked the shot by Laine Ferring.

 

The Pioneers carried the one-goal lead into halftime after outshooting the Owls 11 to two in the opening stanza.

 

Storslett doubled the DU lead with her first collegiate goal in the 55th minute. Hemmings centered a pass from the right endline to a wide open Storslett, who one-timed the ball past Badders from about eight yards out.

 

Denver maintained possession for most of the game but was unable to add to the lead. DU recorded a game total of 19 shots to FAU’s four.

 

Junior goalkeeper Mackenzie Snyder (Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.) made one save and recorded her second consecutive shutout after Denver defeated Florida International 2-0 on Friday. Snyder now has five shutouts on the season.

 

Badders and Mariana Byczkowski combined for seven saves for Florida Atlantic. Badders made six saves and was credited with the loss, while Byczkowski added one in the last 19:45.

 

The Pioneers continue SBC play on the road against Troy and South Alabama next weekend.

 

 

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