University of Denver
4-9-4, 3-4-2
Seattle
11-4-5, 5-1-3
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Seattle U | 1 | 0 | 1 |
11/7/2026 4:27:00 PM | Women's Soccer
The Pioneers close out 2026 season with a 1-1 draw to finish unbeaten in four of their last five in their first campaign in the West Coast Conference
SEATTLE – The University of Denver women's soccer team didn't quit on the 2026 season as fifth-year senior Sophia Elfrink tied her career high with eight stops and junior Kit Mooney scored a second-half leveler to deny Seattle the West Coast Conference regular season title in a 1-1 draw in the Pioneers season finale on Saturday afternoon at Championship Field.
Denver finished its first season in the WCC at 3-4-2, tying San Diego for sixth in the conference table. The Pioneers finished unbeaten in four of their last five matches.
SAVE OF THE YEAR SOPHIA ELFRINK!!!! 📺: @ESPNPlus @WCCsports / @NCAASoccer #GoPios https://t.co/1dEB697zwP
— Denver Women's Soccer (@DU_WSoccer) November 7, 2026
Notes:
- Saturday's result is Denver's first after trailing at halftime since a 1-1 draw in its 2023 season opener against Colorado State at the University of Denver Soccer Stadium.
- The draw marks Denver's first after trailing at halftime on the road since September 8, 2022, a 1-1 draw at San Jose State.
- Fifth year goalkeeper Sophia Elfrink made her first start since joining the Pioneers' program this offseason. Elfrink's start was the 52nd of her career, including her four-year career at SEMO.
- Elfrink made eight saves, including five in the second half to help Denver hold on to the 1-1 draw.
- Kit Mooney scored the first goal of her career to put the Pioneers on level terms in the 63rd minute.
- Mooney's goal was her third goal contribution of the season.
- Caitlin Staats earned the assist on the Mooney leveler, her third assist and fourth goal contribution of the season.
Kit gets us back on level terms! #GoPios https://t.co/qfS1bRbcuQ
— Denver Women's Soccer (@DU_WSoccer) November 7, 2026
How it Happened:
11' On the first set piece and the first shot on goal of the afternoon, U'I Kaaihue played a back post corner to Sydney Grundland Lanuza, who headed home the breakthrough.
15' Denver's first shot on goal of the day came just shy of the quarter hour mark when Camila Palacios and the Pioneers turned the Redhawks over in the press, and Palacios had a go from well outside the area. The Seattle goalkeeper got her body behind the ball and saved the attempt comfortably.
17' Seattle looked to double its advantage when Myah Polzin got in behind the Denver backline, but Polzin pulled her attempt wide of the far post.
28' Sophia Elfrink made her first save of the afternoon, positioning herself well to stop Kaaihue's shot from the corner of the box, and keep the deficit at one.
44' Denver earned its first corner of the afternoon late in the half, nearly missing the near-post run and giving Seattle the ability to clear its lines.
48' Sixth-year senior Samantha Dreiling had a failed clearance off a free kick fall to her feet at the top of the box, but she didn't get all on her attempt, and Kassidy Kirgan saved it comfortably.
63' Playing more on the front foot in the second half, Denver got its deserved leveler off an attacking throw-in. Freshman forward Caitlin Staats was able to get free to get a cross off down the Denver left, and Kit Mooney trapped it with her waist, and the deflection off the middle of her body got just over the line to level things at 1-1.
65' Kacey Harvey looked to nearly completely flip the script after the Mooney goal, but her shot was kept out by Kirgan.
75' As Seattle looked to get back in-front to take back control of the West Coast Conference regular season title, Elfrink made her seventh save of the afternoon to keep things level heading into the final 15 minutes of the regular season.
77' Elfrink made arguably the save of the season for the Pioneers when Miyah Suster looked to have a late winner for the Redhawks, but Elfrink dove to her left and pushed it wide of the post.
84' Kera Nguyen had a crack from outside the box, but her attempt was over the bar.
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Players Mentioned
Team Stats
Sydney Grundland Lanuza (2)
Assisted By: U'i Kaaihue
GOAL by SU Grundland Lanuza, Sydney Assist by Kaaihue, U'i.
10:53
Kit Mooney (1)
Assisted By: Caitlin Staats
GOAL by DEN Mooney, Kit Assist by Staats, Caitlin.
62:39
