DU women’s soccer added two more wins to their record on Friday and Sunday, moving up to second place in the Western Athletic Conference with a record of 12-1-4 overall and 4-0-2 in the WAC.
On Friday, Denver hosted the University of Texas – San Antonio and beat the Roadrunners 4-2.
Junior forward Kristen Hamilton led the team with two goals and one assist, earning five points for the second straight game. Sophomore midfielder Lydia Harlan added another goal, as did senior forward Kaitlin Bast. Also of note was sophomore midfielder Anna Willis with three assists.
Hamilton scored what was her 11th goal this season in the 15th minute of play. Sophomore Nikki Pappalardo passed her the ball and Hamilton was able to beat the keeper one on one.
The Roadrunners evened up scoring in the 29th minute on a penalty kick after a Pioneer handball. UTSA freshman midfielder Simone Boye made the kick, tallying her third goal of the season.
UTSA had another opportunity to score off a free kick 10 minutes later. Senior goalkeeper for the Crimson and Gold, Lara Campbell, made the diving save to keep the game tied.
In the 42nd minute, the Pioneers gained the lead. Willis passed to Harlan, who was able to shoot it in from 15 yards out. Within a minute of this second goal, UTSA’s junior midfielder Valentina Lefort nearly tied it up with a close range kick. Once again, Campbell had the save.
Later in the game, Hamilton scored her second goal of the afternoon and 12th of the season. Senior forward Kalie Vaughn made the pass to Denver’s leading scorer in the 58th minute of play.
UTSA junior forward Maria Jose Rojas scored in the 72nd minute to bring the Roadrunners within one, but it was not enough, as DU finished ahead.
“This match was a little bit up and down,” said head coach Jeff Hooker. “I was disappointed to give up that second goal, but we responded when we had to. We never gave up, and I’m proud of how we closed the game in the last 15 minutes.”
Sunday’s game was much less of a shootout, as the Pioneers bested Texas State 1-0 at senior day on CIBER Field. Before the game, seniors Kalie Vaughn, Kaitlin Bast, Maria Khan, Katy Van Lieshout and Lara Campbell were honored.
“It was tough seeing that emotion for our seniors before the game, but they were very strong and focused throughout,” said Hooker.
Bast scored the lone goal in the 32nd minute while Vaughn and junior midfielder Nicholette DiGiacomo each had a touch.
This assist put DiGiacomo into a tie for third on DU’s all-time assists list.
“We had a really nice goal in the first half,” Hooker said. “After that, we stopped putting pressure around them and knocked the ball around a bit since we didn’t need another goal. We were able to keep the ball most of the match and protect against the counter.”
The Pioneers will wrap up the regular season next weekend on the road, when they take on Idaho on Friday afternoon and Seattle on Sunday afternoon.
