DENVER The University of Denver women’s soccer team defeated the visiting New Mexico Lobos 3-1 in its home opener at Pioneer Field on Friday afternoon.

 

“It’s a good start to the season,” head coach Jeff Hooker said. “In first games, you can play inconsistently, but in this one I thought we played solid defense and had creative play-making. I was pleased by the way we played.”

 

Junior midfielder Kelli Breidenbach (Fort Collins, Colo.) gave the Pioneers an early 1-0 lead when she scored Denver’s first goal of the season on a header in the game’s opening two minutes. Freshman midfielder Bria Beardsley (Mission Viejo, Calif.) tallied her first collegiate point with an assist on the goal.

 

Denver (1-0-0) held its 1-0 lead through the remainder of the first half. Both teams recorded six shots in the opening 45 minutes.

 

Less than 10 minutes into the second half, senior midfielder and 2006 Sun Belt Player of the Year Taryn Hemmings (Greeley, Colo.) carried the ball up the left side and found junior forward Mariah Johnston (Littleton, Colo.) in the center of the field. Johnston then one-timed the ball past New Mexico keeper Shannon Adragna to put the Pioneers up 2-0.

 

New Mexico (0-1-0) received a goal from Jennifer Williams with 4:18 remaining in the game, cutting Denver’s lead in half. However, just 1:10 later the Lobos suffered an own goal and gave the Pioneers a 3-1 lead.

 

Junior goalie Mackenzie Snyder (Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.) made one save in the victory while Adragna tallied three for the Lobos.

 

The DU win marked Hooker’s 200th career victory coaching women’s soccer, all with the Pioneers. Hooker’s career record is now 200-85-29 in his 16 years in the collegiate coaching ranks.

 

The Pioneers face the Colorado Buffaloes in Boulder on Sunday at 3 pm.