DENVER – The University of Denver women's soccer team controlled the opening passages of play, but fell to Texas Tech 2-1 in the Pioneers' final exhibition of the season on Saturday night at the University of Denver Soccer Stadium. Denver will officially open the 2019 campaign on Thursday when the Pioneers welcome Boston University to the Mile High City for a 7 p.m. MT kickoff (TV: Altitude/
Tickets).
"I thought we really had a lot of confidence on the ball and really worked in the midfield when we had time and we had space," head coach
Jeff Hooker said. "We ran with it when we needed to, we played two-touch when we needed to, and we were able to switch the ball nicely and keep it in the attack. We looked much more organized today (than Thursday). We were very efficient. I thought for the most part we continued that throughout the 90 minutes, which made me proud."
Against the run of play in the opening 45 minutes, Texas Tech opened the scoring in the 20
th minute, as Jade King dribbled down the middle of the field, before uncorking a shot into the bottom left corner from outside the penalty area.
Denver responded on the other side of halftime with the first goal of the preseason from sophomore
Camryn MacMillan (Littleton, Colo.). Thursday night's goal scorer
Samantha Feller (Grand Junction, Colo.) crossed it in from the right flank, a service MacMillan deposited into the bottom left corner to beat the Red Raiders' goalkeeper.
Texas Tech answered back 97 seconds later to retake the lead at 2-1 in the 54
th minute. Red Raiders' speedy forward Kirsten Davis dribbled to the endline before cutting it back and curling her effort into the side netting.
"Throughout training this week, we need to keep the momentum that we generated tonight," Hooker said. "Thursday was a disappointment for all of us, players included. We over-trained for that match, and we backed-off for this one and had a much better performance. We need to keep the energy level and the speed of play that we brought today throughout the week as we prepare for Thursday."
Up Next:
The Pioneers will officially raise the curtain on the 2019 campaign Thursday against Boston University at the University of Denver Soccer Stadium at 7 p.m. MT. DU's season opener will be broadcast live on Altitude.
2019 Season Tickets:
Season tickets for the 2019 University of Denver men's and women's soccer regular season are on-sale starting at $55. Season ticket holders from the 2018 season should contact the Denver ticket office at 303-871-4625 to renew. Season tickets can also be purchased online, by
clicking here.
OUTSIDE FOOD/DRINK/PETS:
The University of Denver does not allow fans to bring outside food, drink or pets (with the exception of Bark in the Park Days) to the University of Denver Soccer Stadium.
PIONEER MOVEMENT:
Fans interested in making a donation to the women's soccer program can do so by clicking here. Your contribution will make a direct impact on the success of YOUR Pioneers. Thank you in advance for your unwavering support of our student-athletes and their quest for excellence.
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