WSOC v Kansas (7 SEP 14) - Highlights
WSOC v Kansas (7 SEP 14) - Full Game

Denver 0-2 Kansas (Williams 15', OG 44')
Photos

DENVER - The University of Denver women's soccer team concluded its home-opening weekend with a 2-0 loss to[RV/24] Kansas on Sunday afternoon at CIBER Field at the University of Denver Soccer Stadium.

"There's a reason they are undefeated," head coach Jeff Hooker said. "They are a really good team, with tons of talent. Mark (Francis) has done a great job of coaching them. I was really happy with our first 10 minutes, and the pressure we put on them. Our ability to keep the ball and defend early on was fantastic. I'm not disappointed with how we played, but disappointed with the result today. You can't spot a team that's as good as Kansas two goals, and expect to have success."

Kansas (6-0-0) opened the scoring in the 15th-minute as sophomore Morgan Williams netted her first career goal, getting on the end of a misplayed back pass to Denver (2-3-1) goalkeeper Cassidy Rey (Arcadia, Calif.), and finishing just under the outstretched arms of Rey.

Rey would depart in the 28th minute, forced to leave the game after a late challenge resulted in her needing to be helped off the field. The injury to Rey gave junior Tina Vargas (Issaquah, Wash.) her debut on Sunday. The junior backup keeper made one save in the final 18 minutes of the first half before Rey's return after the break.

The Jayhawks doubled their advantage just before the intermission, as an own goal off the back of a Denver head on a Kansas corner gave KU a 2-0 in the 44th minute.

Freshman Makenzie Bothner (Park City, Utah) made her third-consecutive start at left back for the injured Stella Norman (Lakewood, Colo.), who has missed the last four games. Freshman Jackie Dutton (Windsor, Calif.) made her fourth-consecutive start for injured centerback Paige Diamond (Pleasanton, Calif.).

The Pioneers will wrap-up their 2014 Colorado Cup slate on Friday when Denver makes the short trip to Boulder to take on the Buffs for a 4:30 p.m. MT kickoff at Prentup Field. Denver honored former Rockies executive Keli McGregor at halftime of today's match.

"We actually talked a little bit about the CU game with our freshmen before this weekend," Hooker said. "We let our freshmen know that's the game we circle, and that's the one game that if we win one during the year, that's the one we want to win. We start classes this week too, so we just need to focus on limiting the distractions, and make sure we really get after it on Friday."

Don't miss out on Pioneer soccer action this fall. Season and individual game tickets are on sale now. Fans interested in purchasing tickets can do so by phone at 303-871-2336, in person at the Richie Center box office or through DenverPioneers.com by clicking here.

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