OMAHA – The University of Denver women's soccer team jumped on Omaha from the opening whistle, scoring twice in the first 20 minutes in a 2-0 win over the host Mavericks on Friday night at Caniglia Field.
Scoring Summary:
DEN (6-5-0, 1-0-0): Glover 2', Sharp 17'
OMA (3-5-2, 0-1-0):
Quotable – Head Coach Jeff Hooker:
"We obviously started very well. When we can play with that energy and that efficiency in-front of goal, we are very, very good. I thought we stopped playing for a little bit, but then we got it back rolling again. The second goal for us was very important with a few of the one-goal leads we've given up lately. That was a luxury to go into halftime two up. At the start of the day, our only goal was to get a shutout, so to come away with that shutout and three points on the road, I'm very pleased. We showed off our depth again tonight, which is something we'll need to continue to do in these two-match weekends ahead."
First Half:
Kaitlyn Glover, the Summit League Tournament MVP the last time the Pios were in Omaha this spring, got Denver on the board in the second minute, heading home a
Natalie Beckman cross to get the Pioneers off and running in the start of Summit League play.
Brittney Lewis started the play down the Denver left, getting the ball to Beckman in the attacking third. Beckman drove to the endline and got the cross off to the head of Glover. Glover has now scored five goals in 11 matches for the Pioneers this season, after ending the spring campaign with four goals in her last five games.
Denver doubled its advantage in the 17
th minute after Sharp's seventh goal of the season and the 17
th of her career. Beckman got to the endline once again down the Pios left to setup the Denver second, playing this cross on the ground just outside the six-yard box. Sharp was able to get to the cross first, and toe poke it into the bottom corner just inside the far post.
Second Half:
Denver had a couple of quality cracks at a third goal, but Denver's possession in the attack helped hold Omaha's offense to just two shots on goal on the night, including just one in the second half that came in the 90
th minute.
In the late stages of the match, Omaha's attack had a run at goal, but
Hannah Gallegos brought down her mark just outside the box and was cautioned. Omaha's free kick was saved by
Nerea Arrazola, the rebound was played by a Maverick from an offside position, and the Pioneers held on to their fourth shutout of the season.
Overall, Denver outshot Omaha 9-5, including 5-2 on goal. The Pioneers also took six of the eight corners in the match.
Notes:
- The assists for Beckman brought her career total to 36, moving her into a tie with Kristen Hamilton for third all-time at DU.
- Sharp has now scored in 11 of her last 18 appearances.
- Denver kept its first cleansheet since a 3-0 win over Utah on August 26 at the University of Denver Soccer Stadium.
Up Next:
Denver will cap off a season-long four-match road swing next weekend when the Pioneers head to St. Thomas a week from tonight for a 3 p.m. MT kickoff, followed by a trip to Western Illinois on Sunday, October 10 (12 p.m. MT).
Tickets:
Denver men's and women's soccer single game tickets for the 2021 campaign are on sale now, and can be purchased
here.
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