With one game remaining before the Summit League Tournament begins, the DU women’s soccer team is preparing to finish 2014 on a high note.
Last year, Denver made an appearance in the NCAA tournament and also went 7-0 in conference play. With a 5-2-0 conference record this season, the young Denver squad might not have as strong of a record this year, but they do have the talent to push them far into Summit League Tournament play and potentially into the NCAA tournament as well.
After defeating Indiana University – Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW) 3-0 on Oct. 26 at CIBER Field, Denver was able to move up the ranks and into the top of the Summit League.
This win guarantees the Pioneers no worse than a number three seed entering the Summit League Tournament, which begins Nov. 6.
Against IPFW, all three points were scored by different Pioneers. Junior Taylor Ivins netted the first point, followed by freshman Jocelyn Loomis and redshirt-sophomore Francesca Garzelloni.
Freshman midfielder Makenzie Bothner assisted two of the three goals.
“We have been working hard each day at practice and training at max effort so that what we do in training will carry over to the game,” said Bothner. “We are working on finishing the attack and executing in the final third as well as keeping our defense sharp and focused.”
Denver will travel to South Dakota State University on Oct. 31 for their final regular season game.
The results of this match will determine the Pioneer’s official standing in the Summit League Tournament and Denver is hoping to add one last victory to their season record.
“We hope to win the conference championship and get an automatic bid into the NCAA tournament this season,” Bothner said.
Denver added nine freshman to its team this year and will only be graduating seven seniors this spring.
“Our season has been a little bumpy. The team that was brought together this year is different than the teams in the past years because we lost a lot of big players last year, which has lead to a lot of young players stepping up this year,” said freshman forward Jessica Dancy.
“We struggled a lot in the beginning of the season, but we have been getting better every game. The first game of the season, Makenzie [Bothner] and I were subbed into the game at the same time. Standing on there the sideline, I had never been so nervous.”
All Summit League Tournament games will take place at Denver’s own CIBER Field Nov. 6 to Nov. 8. The results of this tournament will determine the Pioneer’s chance of getting a bid into the NCAA tournament, which is scheduled to begin on Nov. 14.
“Our goal is to win our last season game and end season play on a good note,” Dancy said.
