FARGO, N.D. – The University of Denver women's soccer team (5-3-3, 2-0-0 Summit) responded after conceding early to claim a 2-1 win at North Dakota State on Sunday afternoon.
 
For the second time in its last three matches, DU scored on either side of halftime after giving up an early goal to secure a victory. NDSU's Morgan Russmann opened the scoring in the 16^th minute directly off a free kick before Denver senior Brooke Ahern leveled things in the 40^th minute after forcing an error on an attempted clearance from the keeper. In the 71^st minute, senior Isabella Chidiac yet again found redshirt junior Emma Thielbahr for a header off a corner kick in what would be the game winner.
 
SIGNIFICANT STATS:                                 

• For the fourth time this year, Chidiac and Thielbahr connected on a corner-to-header goal this year.
  • Sunday's goal was also the second time in the last three matches that such a goal became a game winner for DU.
  • Thielbahr and Chidiac extended their team leads in goals (4) and assists (6), respectively.
  • Thielbahr also became the first Pioneer with multiple game winners in 2025.
• Three of Denver's four equalizers scored so far in 2025 have been netted by Ahern.
  • Ahern's goal in the 40^th minute was DU's latest in the first half this year.
• Denver has now won two consecutive matches after it conceded the first goal.
• DU's 21 shots became a new season high and the most since having 22 in back-to-back matches against Omaha and at South Dakota State on October 17 and 24, 2024.
  • DU outshot NDSU in both halves including doubling up on the Bison's attempts in the second half (12 to 6).
  • For the second straight match, Chidiac tied for the match lead in shot attempts, this time with a personal-best four.
• Denver also equaled a season high with its six corner kicks.
• DU has now won its first two Summit League matches for the fifth time in the last six seasons and the eighth time overall.
  • DU is the only team to have won twice during the opening weekend of Summit League play.

FIRST HALF:
2' | Thielbahr connected on an early free-kick service from Chidiac, but her header toward the left post was blocked away.
 
8' | Redshirt senior Samantha Dreiling juggled between a couple NDSU defenders to get some pace behind a low shot at the edge of the box, but the NDSU keeper kept it clear.
 
16' | NDSU's Morgan Russman took a free kick from 25 yards out and curled it into the far corner of the net for the match's opening goal.
 
40' | Ahern challenged a clearance from the NDSU keeper and successfully gained possession of the ball, carrying it toward the net and pushing it across the line despite the pressure from the keeper.
 
SECOND HALF:
61' | From the top of the box, senior Lily O'Grady put a shot toward the center of the net, though the keeper successfully dove down to block it away. On the subsequent corner, Chidiac nearly dipped the ball directly into the net but had it roll along the edge of the crossbar.
 
71' | On Denver's fifth corner of the day again taken by Chidiac, Thielbahr headed the ball between the far post and the keeper's hands, and into the back of the net for a 2-1 DU lead.
 
76' | Chidiac took a look from the edge of the six-yard box but had her attempt kick-saved by the keeper.
 
83' | Once more, Chidiac sent up a corner kick and found a teammate for a header, though freshman Lilly Lund 's attempt could not get across the line.
 
WHAT'S NEXT:
The University of Denver women's soccer team kicks off a three-match homestand when the Pioneers host Kansas City on Thursday, October 2, at 7 p.m. MT.
 
TICKETS
Tickets for the 2025 Denver women's soccer season are now on sale and available for purchase online, by calling 303-871-4625 or by visiting the Ritchie Center Box Office.