Photo by: Andrew Fielding

After posting 19-2-1 record, the women’s soccer team’s season came to a drastic end yesterday when Denver was denied an at-large bid for the NCAA national tournament after losing the Sun Belt Conference championship game against Middle Tennessee.

“A lot of automatic bids went to underdogs, which ultimately cost us a chance to play in the NCAA Tournament,” said head coach Jeff Hooker. “Overall, I am really proud of this team; our record was the best we’ve finished with.”

Looking at the field of teams in the NCAA tournament, it is blatant that the Pioneers have a better record than most teams.

However, DU failed to automatically qualify when the team lost 3-2 in a shootout to Middle Tennessee in the SBC championship game last Saturday.

The loss ended a streak of four consecutive conference titles for Denver as well as four straight trips to the NCAA tournament through automatic bids.

“It was surprising that we weren’t selected, although we had control of our own destiny in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament and didn’t get it done,” said Hooker. “It was disappointing not to win that final, especially because we wouldn’t be in this situation if we had.”

The Pioneers not only won 19 games, which ties a school record, but they went undefeated in conference and finished perfect at home.

In conference play, the Pioneers recorded nine regular season shutouts and two more in the postseason tournament.

Despite a great defensive performance against the No. 2 seeded Blue Raiders (13-8-2, 9-2 SBC), the game came down to penalty kicks and the Pioneers failed to convert more than their opponent.

Initially, each team made their first two shots, but then freshman midfielder Nicholette DiGiacomo missed right.

However, Denver’s goalkeeper Lara Campbell protected the net as the Blue Raiders missed their third penalty shot.

Middle Tennesee’s goalkeeper Rebecca Cushing then stopped shots from seniors Lauren Cavarra and Alexis Hanks on the Pioneers’ fourth and fifth attempts.

Paige Goeglein slid the ball past Campbell on the Blue Raiders fourth shot, which proved to be the game-winner.

The Pioneers limited the Blue Raiders to 11 shots during the 110 minutes of regulation, but failed to score on their 26 shots.

Campell was named to the 2010 SBC All-Tournament Team along with fellow sophomore Kalie Vaugn and freshmen Digiacomo and Kristen Hamilton.