DENVER – The University of Denver women's soccer team capped off an out-right Summit League regular season title with a 2-0 win over South Dakota State on Sunday afternoon at the University of Denver Soccer Stadium.
Scoring Summary:
DEN (13-5-1, 8-0-1): Sharp 40', Beckman 66'
SDSU (15-3-1, 6-2-1):
Quotable – Head Coach Jeff Hooker:
"I thought the response today after Friday's result was great. With Senior Day, typically there are a lot of nerves and anxiety, and we were trying too hard in the beginning. It took us about 10 minutes to settle down, and simply just not pass the ball to the other team. Once we got into a rhythm, I thought we were fantastic. Syd's (
Sydney Sharp) goals was impressive. To knock the ball around like we did in the second half, and not give anything up in transition, I'm just really proud of the group's effort and performance today."
Summit League Bracket:
Semifinals – Thursday, November 4:
1 p.m. MT – [1] Denver vs. [4] South Dakota
4 p.m. MT – [2] South Dakota State vs. [3] Omaha
Final – Saturday, November 6 – 2 p.m. MT
Inside the Box Score:
Denver kept 62% of the possession and out-shot the visitors 18-1, including 8-1 on target. The Pioneers also took six of the seven corners on the afternoon.
First Half:
Denver got on the front foot from the opening whistle, but couldn't find the final ball in the opening quarter hour to create a dangerous opportunity.
The Pioneers started to connect in the attack with
Natalie Beckman earning a pair of chances and
Hannah Gallegos heading a corner over the bar.
Denver's next best scoring opportunity came in the 27
th minute. Beckman had her shot saved and
Sydney Sharp pulled the rebound wide.
Sharp did get the Pioneers opener in the 40
th minute with a diving header from an
Addisyn Hyrup cross. The goal was Sharp's 14
th of the season and the 24
th of her career. Hyrup's assist was her third of the season and the fourth of her career.
Second Half:
Denver doubled its advantage in the 66
th minute with the second in as many matches for Beckman. Sharp ran at the Jackrabbits back line and toe-poked it to the run of Beckman, who took a touch around the goalkeeper and knocked it into an open net. The goal is the 21
st of Beckman's career.
The Pioneers rotated the squad in the later stages of the second half as 23 players saw action for the Pioneers on the afternoon. Despite the changes, Denver's level didn't drop as the Pioneers defense didn't allow a shot in the second 45 en-route to the team's ninth cleansheet of the season.
Notes:
- With the win, the Pioneers finished six points clear of South Dakota State at the top of the Summit League table.
Up Next:
Denver will host the 2021 Summit League Women's Soccer Championship next weekend at the University of Denver Soccer Stadium. Thursday's semifinal kickoffs are set for 1 and 4 p.m. MT, while the final will kickoff at 2 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.
Coronavirus Updates
For the latest University of Denver updates on the coronavirus, click here.
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