LOS ANGELES – The University of Denver women’s soccer program took 12 of the first 13 shots of the second half but couldn’t find the opener before LMU struck in the 88th minute to secure the three points on Wednesday night at Sullivan Field.
Notes:
Denver’s 13 corner kicks were its most in a match since taking 13 against Kansas City on September 26, 2024.
The Pioneers 23 shots in a match were the program’s most since September 29, 2024 against North Dakota (36).
How it Happened:
2′ Denver’s Kera Nguyen was the first player to test a keeper on Wednesday night, but her shot wasn’t quite to the desired top corner and LMU goalie JJ Hoover made the stop.
19′ After Denver’s defense blocked a few shots at the other end, Nora Zelazny won a tackle and got herself free at the top of the box, but her attempt was wide of the far post and in behind for a goal kick.
23′ A ball at the top of LMU’s attacking box fell to the feet of Elise Bolanos, who un-corked the team’s sixth shot of the night, but Bolanos skied her attempt in behind for a goal kick.
33′ Cameron Bourne and the Lions tried to hit the Pioneers on the counter, but Denver’s defense recovered well to limit the angle, and Lucy Garnsey made her fourth save of the night.
41′ As halftime approached, Denver continued to look like the more likely to find the breakthrough before the intermission. Lucy Vincent had the ball pulled back to her to setup Denver’s 10th shot of the half at the top of the box, but she pulled the attempt wide.
48′ Denver earned its eighth corner of the night after Camille Kollar had her shot from the top of the box blocked and go in behind for a corner.
61′ A Zelazny cross in from the right channel picked out the run of Dreiling, but Dreiling couldn’t get her hips around her shot, and LMU was able to clear its lines.
65′ Denver took the first eight shots of the second half, before the Pioneers tried a different approach, playing a long ball over the top to the run of Nguyen, who was originally ruled to have been pushed from behind in the box, and the referee pointed to the spot. LMU challenged the foul on the Lions’ Mia York, and the original decision was overturned.
69′ An overhit back pass to the LMU keeper fell to the feet of Lilly Lund, but the keeper recovered quickly enough to block the shot at Lund’s feet and clear the danger.
73′ Denver’s 13th corner of the night was won in the air by Annie Philbin, but her header rose over the bar.
78′ A beautiful cross in from the Denver right from Kacey Harvey glanced off the head of Lund, landing just wide of Hoover’s post.
86′ LMU thought it had the opener against the run of play on its third corner of the night, but Garnsey was fouled on the initial header, so the goal was wiped off after video review.
86′ Garnsey’s best save of the night came on a shot from 15-yards out from Bourne. Garnsey pushed the shot wide, and Denver cleared.
88′ Bourne found the long-awaited breakthrough, taking a touch at the top of the box to get it on her left foot, before finishing into the bottom right corner.
90′ Reese Morgan got a final look for the Pioneers as time expired, but her diving header was over the bar.
UP NEXT:
Denver will return home for the final time this weekend when the Pioneers host Pacific. Opening kickoff on Senior Day is set for 3 p.m. MT, and the match will be broadcast on ESPN+.
TICKETS
Tickets for Senior Night are available for purchase online or by visiting the Ritchie Center Box Office.
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