BURLINGTON, Iowa – The University of Denver women's soccer team got a goal on either side of halftime to defeat Western Illinois 2-0 in both teams' Summit League opener on Friday afternoon at FunCity Turf.
 
Turning Point:
Natalie Beckman got Denver right off the mark in the sixth minute, converting DU's second shot of the afternoon to put the Pioneers ahead for good in Denver's second match of the campaign.
 
Inside The Box Score:

• Denver allowed 0 shots on goal for the 24^th time in its Division I history (24-0-0)
• The Pioneers outshot Western Illinois 20-4
  • Largest shot margin since outshooting Purdue Fort Wayne 39-1 on October 27, 2019.

First Half:
Denver controlled proceedings in the opening 45 minutes, outshooting Western Illinois 12-1 in the first half, including 7-0 on target.  Isabel Navas Rodriguez was forced into six saves in the first half.
Beckman got Denver on the board in the sixth minute off a feed from Sami Feller. Beckman slotted home Denver's first goal of the season on a one-timed finish into the lower-right corner to give Denver the advantage.
 
Second Half:
Hannah Hiatt doubled Denver's lead in the 55^th minute off an assist from Beckman to give her a three-point afternoon.
Hannah Gallegos had her shot blocked in-front to start the scoring sequence. Beckman sent the ball back into the box, and it bounced a couple of times before Hiatt found twine to put Denver 2-0 up.  
 
Significant Stats:

• Associate head coach Kris Peat managed the Pioneers on Friday with assistant Levi Rossi, as head coach Jeff Hooker and volunteer assistant Katie Hooker missed Friday's match due to personal reasons. Jeff Hooker will rejoin the team in Iowa Saturday night.
• Denver improved to 102-7-4 when holding its opponent to five shots or less.

Up Next:
Denver and Western Illinois will square off in the second match of the series on Sunday at 4 p.m. MT at FunCity Turf.
 
Coronavirus Updates
For the latest University of Denver updates on the coronavirus, click here.
 
DONATE: 
Fans interested in making a donation to the Pioneers Athletic Fund can do so by clicking here. Your gift will transform the lives of our student-athletes by giving them the first-class resources needed to excel in the classroom, in competition and beyond. Thank you for Building Pioneers for Life!
 
- 5280 Together –

Visit DenverPioneers.com for complete coverage of all 17 of Denver's NCAA Division I sports.
Like Denver Pioneers and Denver Women's Soccer on Facebook
Follow @DU_Pioneers and @DU_WSoccer on Twitter
Follow @denverpioneers and @DU_WSoccer on Instagram