Photo by: Jacob Rokeach

With victories over the University of Arkansas-Little Rock, Florida Atlantic University and North Texas University, the DU women’s soccer team won the Sun Belt Conference title and advances to the NCAA Women’s College Cup.

It is the women’s soccer team’s fourth SBC conference title in six years.

Led by junior midfielder Taryn Hemmings, the Pioneers defeated UALR 3-0, FAU 2-0 and NTU 4-0 in Lafayette, LA last weekend.

Hemmings scored five of the Pioneers’ nine tournament goals, including a hat trick in the opening match against UALR. Hemmings’s strong play earned her the tournament’s Most Valuable Player Award.

Proving the adage that “the best defense is a good offense,” the Pioneers fired in 9 goals in three games, while the DU defense held each opponent scoreless. Goalkeepers senior Dani Wiley and sophomore Mackenzie Snyder combined for a shutout tournament.

The three-game tournament sweep brings the Pioneers’ win streak to 14 in a row.

Sophomore forward Dana Schonberger was instrumental in the Pioneers’ early games, dishing off two assists against UALR.

Schonberger also shot her first goal of the season against FAU. Freshman midfielder Lizzy Carlson and senior midfielder Laura Mann contributed assists in that game, while Hemmings shot in another goal.

The Pioneers’ runaway 4-0 victory against NT showcased their offensive firepower. Hemmings and senior forward Lleane Grimditch each shot a goal, while junior midfielder Jenna Billingsley found the back of the net twice. Billingsley, Carlson, and sophomore defender Jessica Keller each contributed assists .

The Pioneers move on to the NCAA Women’s College Cup. They will face off against the South Eastern Conference Champion University of Kentucky Friday at noon in Boulder.