DENVER – Reigning Top Drawer Soccer National Player of the Week Natalie Beckman assisted an equalizer and bent in the Golden Goal from the corner flag to lead the University of Denver women's soccer team to a 2-1 extra time win over South Dakota on Friday afternoon at the Diane Wendt Sports Complex.
 
Turning Point:
In the final minute of the first extra time period, Beckman banked Denver's 10^th corner kick of the afternoon off the far post and into the back of the net to send Denver to its fifth-straight win.
 
First Half:
South Dakota took advantage of a mistake in Denver's defense, when Shaylee Gailus pounced on a misplayed ball by the Denver keeper and scored her second goal of the season.
 
The Gailus shot was the Coyotes' only shot of the half, with the Pioneers holding a 6-1 edge in that category. South Dakota goalkeeper Emma Harkleroed had three saves in the opening 45 minutes.
 
Second Half:
Denver's equalizer came in the 55^th minute when Sydney Sharp tucked her first goal of the season inside the far post from the edge of the box. Taylor Parker played a ball to Beckman in Denver's attacking half. Beckman flicked it on to Sharp, who took a few touches to her left and played her shot back across the goal. The goal was the fourth of Sharp's career.
 
South Dakota had the best chance of the rest of the second half, but Parker cleared a shot off the line to keep the match level and send it to extra time.
 
Beckman's fifth goal of the season came in the 100^th minute for her team-leading 15^th point of the spring campaign.
 
Significant Stats:
Natalie Beckman has a goal in each of Denver's last five matches.

• Beckman has 42 career points on 11 goals and 20 assists
  • 20 assists is tied for eighth in Denver's DI history, 19 off former Pioneer Nicholette DiGiacomo's school record.

Up Next:
Denver will continue its homestand against South Dakota on Sunday at 11 a.m. MT. The game will be broadcast live on Pioneer Vision.  
 
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