Photo by: Justin Edmonds
The rain created muddy, wet and sloppy conditions for the women’s soccer game vs. Troy State on Sunday, but it was exactly what DU(6-3-4) needed. The Pioneers defeated the Trojans 7-0 at Pioneer field after tying South Alabama 0-0 on Friday.
On September 23 the Pioneers defeated No. 1 Stanford 1-0 in Boulder and since then have gone a disappointing 2-1-2 against Sun Belt Conference opponents.
“I think it showed them the level that they can play and what the potential they had. It made them believe in themselves, after the game a couple players went into a slump and haven’t been the same since that game,” said Head Coach Jeff Hooker about how the team reacted to the win against Stanford.
On Sunday, Denver finally found the back of the net on a consistent basis and showed what type of team they can be as they outshout the Trojans 45-1.
Senior Jenna Billingsley recorded her team leading seventh and eighth goals of the season and freshman Lauren Cavarra added two more during the winning effort.
“It got the people that we came into this season relying to score our goals back on track. Good quality balls and finishes, everything kind of came together today,” said Hooker.
Sunday was also the final home game for seniors Kyle McFarlane, Jamie Dierberger, Billingsley, Elisa Mascitelli and Rachael Fry.
“There is no other way you would want to end your career. It was fun. Parents were here. The weather could have been better,” said Mascitelli.
On Friday the Pioneers struggled again to find the back of the net as they outshot South Alabama 29-6 on their way to a 0-0 tie.
“Obviously it is very frustrating to have a team that has complete possession over an entire game and then just not be able to score. Right now we are just not completing that final pass,” said Billingsley after the tie.
Denver has played 13 games and scored 22 goals and last season through 13 games they scored 35 goals. It has been frustrating at times for the team.
“We know how good we are, we know how good we can be, to not living to that potential right now is really frustrating,” said Billingsley.
The Pioneers will be on the road for the rest of the season beginning this weekend at UALR on Friday and Arkansas State on Sunday.
