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Bast scores twice as Pioneers reach Sun Belt Conference semifinals
Freshman forward Kaitlin Bast scored two goals as the University of Denver women’s soccer team defeated Troy 3-0 in the first round of the Sun Belt Conference tournament on Wednesday in Boca Raton, Florida.
The second-seeded Pioneers (15-5-1) scored what proved to be the winner a little more than 31 minutes into the contest, when Bast headed in a pass from senior midfielder Mariah Johnston. It marked the fourth-straight game that Johnston scored or assisted on the winning goal.
Junior defender Jessie Rogers scored her third goal of the season off a scramble in front of the net in the 57th minute. Sophomore midfielder Bria Beardsley was credited with an assist on the play.
Bast scored Denver’s final goal with about nine minutes to play, drilling a pass from Lizzy Carlson just inside the left post.
Bast and Johnston were named to the All-Sun Belt Conference first team this week, while Rogers, Beardsley and Carlson all made the second team, meaning all five Pioneers honored scored at least one point Wednesday.
Freshman goalkeeper Lara Campbell made three saves in about 81 minutes and teamed with fellow freshman Maria Khan for the shutout.
Denver continues its quest for an unprecedented fourth-straight SBC tournament title and NCAA tournament appearance when the Pioneers take on Arkansas State at 5 p.m. Thursday in the semifinals. Arkansas State, the sixth seed, upset No. 3 seed Western Kentucky on penalty kicks on Wednesday.
The Pioneers are the highest remaining seed. No. 1 Florida International was upset 1-0 in overtime by No. 8 Arkansas-Little Rock. UALR will face No. 4 North Texas on Thursday.
The championship game is Saturday morning.
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