BOULDER, Colo. Junior forward Mariah Johnston (Littleton, Colo.) scored her second game-winner in as many games this season, as the University of Denver women’s soccer team defeated the University of Colorado 1-0 at Prentup Field on Sunday afternoon.

                                                                                                                                 

Junior goalkeeper Mackenzie Snyder (Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.) recorded her first shutout of the season, collecting seven saves, including four in the final 17 minutes of the game.

 

“The team played great team defense today, and Mackenzie came up huge for us today,” head coach Jeff Hooker said. “We really needed the seniors to play well and they responded, especially in the final 15 minutes.”

 

The Pioneers’ (2-0-0) win marked the first over the Buffaloes (0-1-1) since Sept. 18, 2001, a span of seven games that included a tie.

 

After a yellow card by CU defender Michelle Wenino halfway through the first half, Johnston scored on a free kick from 20 yards out that sailed through the top left corner, one of only two DU shots in the first half.

 

With just over 23 minutes left in the game, sophomore forward Lauren Cavarra (Littleton, Colo.) tried to extend DU’s lead with a bullet from 25 yards out, but Colorado goalkeeper Kirstin Radlinski deflected the shot over the goal.

 

The Buffaloes had a flurry in front of the net with 16 minutes to play, but Snyder stopped three consecutive shots within a minute and added another two minutes later.

                                                                                                  

The Pioneers head to Honolulu next weekend to face Long Beach State on Saturday at 9 p.m. and Hawaii on Monday at 8 pm.