Denver Upends LIU Brooklyn, 2-0

by Niko Blankenship

August 26, 2012

BOULDER, Colo. - The University of Denver women's soccer team controlled a majority of the possession for the second-straight match, and was rewarded for that on Sunday afternoon as DU topped LIU Brooklyn, 2-0 in the third match of the Omni Hotels Colorado Women's Soccer Classic at Prentup Field.

Junior forward Kristen Hamilton (Littleton, Colo.) and freshman forward Taylor Ivins(West Haven, Utah) netted the two DU goals, and senior goalkeepers Lara Campbell(Anchorage, Alaska) and Maria Khan (Aurora, Colo.) combined for the shutout.

"Our primary goal was to come and get a shutout, and we accomplished that which was great," head coach Jeff Hooker said. "It feels good to have the hard work that we put in equate to success today. A lot of the things that we've been working on the last couple weeks just kind of came together today."

After a scoreless opening 45 minutes, Denver (2-1-1) kept the pressure on coming out of the break, creating three chances in the first five minutes. Hamilton capitalized on the third chance in the 50th minute, getting behind the backline after challenging for a header. The 2011 Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year took a couple touches inside the box before sliding it across the face of goal and into the back of the net.

Sophomore defender Sam Harder (Centennial, Colo.) created something out of nothing in the 68th minute, taking a shot from 35 yards out, but for the second match in a row her shot found the woodwork.

The Crimson and Gold made it 2-0 in the 75th minute on Ivins' rebound goal. Junior defender Jessy Battelli (Golden, Colo.) played a ball behind the Blackbirds' (0-3) backline and Ivins got on the end of it. After taking a couple of touches in the box, Ivins' first strike was saved, but the freshman forward opened her account in an open net off the rebound.

With the win, Campbell moved to within three wins of Danielle Wiley at the top of Denver's all-time list.

Denver out-shot LIU 15-3, including 14-1 in the second half.

Denver will play its first true road match of the year next Friday, as the Pioneers travel to Saint Louis. The match is set to kickoff at 6 p.m. MT.

Season and individual tickets are on sale now for the 2012 season. Season tickets for 11 Denver Men's Soccer games and eight Denver Women's Soccer games are $57. By purchasing season tickets, fans will enjoy the same centerfield seat, including a comfortable seatback for all 19 games at CIBER Field at the University of Denver Soccer Stadium. Season tickets are available at DenverPioneers.com or by calling/e-mailing Season Ticket and Premium Seating Manager Eric Vasquez at 303.871.7460.

Individual game tickets during the 2012 season are $10 for a reserved seatback and $5 for general admission, and may be purchased by phone at 303-871-2336, online at DenverPioneers.com or in person at the Ritchie Center Box Office. DU students are free with a Pioneer Card. For group ticket discounts of 20 or more, please call/e-mail Adam Sizemore at 303-871-2389.

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