DENTON, Texas – The University of Denver women’s soccer team conceded an early goal and was unable to find an equalizer in Friday’s 1-0 loss at North Texas in both teams’ regular season finale. 

“We made one mistake early, and they made us pay,” head coach Jeff Hooker said. “I thought that we played well in the first half, but the final pass just wasn’t there.  They got a little more defensive at halftime, and we just weren’t the same team from an attacking standpoint. 

With the win, the Mean Green (13-4-2, 8-1-1 SBC) captured their first Sun Belt Conference regular season title since 2005. 

Kelsey Hodges launched a free kick from her defensive half. It landed in the six yard box and bounced over junior goalkeeper Lara Campbell (Anchorage, Alaska) into the corner of the net.

North Texas held a 14-11 shot advantage over the Pioneers (15-4-0, 9-2-0 SBC) in the match.

“We just have to look ahead to the conference tournament next week, and outlast the other seven teams,” Hooker said.   

With the Pioneers loss and Florida International’s 3-1 win over Florida Atlantic earlier today, DU will be the third seed in next week’s Sun Belt Conference Tournament in Murfreesboro, Tenn.  The Pioneers will play South Alabama on Wednesday, Nov. 2 at 12 p.m. MT.

Sun Belt Conference Tournament Schedule

Wednesday, November 2

MATCH 1 - 9 a.m. MT – No. 2 FIU vs. No. 7 Arkansas State

MATCH 2 - 12 p.m. MT – No. 3 Denver vs. No. 6 South Alabama

MATCH 3 - 3 p.m. MT – No. 1 North Texas vs. No. 8 Troy

MATCH 4 - 6 p.m. MT – No. 4 Western Kentucky vs. No. 5 Middle Tennessee

 

Thursday, November 3

MATCH 5 - 3 p.m. MT - Game 1 Winner vs. Game 2 Winner

MATCH 6 - 6 p.m. MT - Game 3 Winner vs. Game 4 Winner

 

Championship Saturday, November 5

MATCH 7 - 12 p.m. MT - Game 5 Winner vs. Game 6 Winner