The DU women’s soccer team won both of its games at home this weekend against Arkansas State and University of Arkansas-Little Rock.
Friday’s game against the Arkansas State Red Wolves 4-9-1, 2-0), ended in a 2-0 victory for the Pioneers, with both goals scored by senior forward Taryn Hemmings.
Hemmings scored the first goal with a header six yards from the goal line almost five minutes into the first half. Senior defender Jessi Keller tallied the assist.
The second goal came from a cross by junior forward Brooke Lamphere 82 minutes into the game. Hemmings received the cross from the left corner and scored the goal with one touch, marking her 13th goal this season.
Early in the first half, Hemmings energized the team with her one-on-one run against the Red Wolves’ goalkeeper freshman Megan Stoltzfus, who rushed out of the net and blocked Hemmings’ shot, allowing the Red Wolves’ defense to recover.
A third ball from Hemmings got past the goalkeeper in the second half but was ruled offside.
The Pioneers outshot the Red Wolves 23-8, forcing their goalkeeper to make nine saves. Denver goalkeeper junior Mackenzie Snyder made four saves.
“Arkansas State played very determinedly, but we were able to capitalize on two key opportunities,” said head coach Jeff Hooker. “We’re looking forward to carrying this kind of enthusiastic play into Sunday’s game.”
Hooker was true to his word as the Pioneers added a second victory for the weekend on Sunday, beating the University of Arkansas-Little Rock Trojans (6-10-1, 3-1).
The first goal was scored by sophomore defender Jessie Rogers as the result of a corner kick taken by junior forward Mariah Johnston. Rogers knocked the ball in with one touch about two yards from the goal line after seven minutes of play for her second goal of the season.
The Trojans’ scored their only goal 26 minutes into the first half to tie the game 1-1.
Denver’s second goal was the result of a penalty kick by freshman midfielder Bria Beardsley 32 minutes into the first half. Desperate Trojan defenders took down Hemmings in the penalty box to prevent DU’s goal leader from scoring. Beardsley sunk the ball into the far right corner of the net to boost the Pioneers over the Trojans 2-1.
With less than three minutes left in the game, junior midfielder Kelli Breidenbach added her fourth goal of the season. She received a cross from Hemmings from the right corner of the field and chipped the ball in with one touch to give the Pioneers the 3-1 victory over the Trojans.
Denver outshot UALR 22-10, and Snyder made eight saves to secure the win.
The last home games of the season are next weekend on Pioneer Field against Western Kentucky on Friday at 3 p.m. and Middle Tennessee on Sunday at 12 p.m.
