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DU wins Sun Belt championship, clinches NCAA berth
The University of Denver women’s soccer earned its fourth-straight Sun Belt Conference title, beating the University of Arkansas-Little Rock 1-0 in the finals of the league’s tournament on Saturday in Boca Raton, Fla.
The Pioneers earned a trip to the NCAA tournament as a result of the victory; the 64-team bracket will be unveiled at 6 p.m. Monday.
Junior defender Jessie Rogers scored the game-winning goal for the second-seeded Pioneers (17-5-1, 10-2-0 SBC) in the 21st minute with a header that finished in the box off the right corner. Senior midfielder Mariah Johnston was credited with the assist.
During the first half, Little Rock’s defense held the Pioneers to only two shots on goal. Denver’s freshman goalkeeper, Lara Campbell, ended the first half with four saves.
Denver’s defense excelled in the second half, as the Trojans did not make any shots on goal. Little Rock goalkeeper Jane Picarelli ended the game with a total of four saves.
Denver has won the SBC tournament for the seventh time in nine years. Last year, in the NCAA tournament, they were defeated by Kansas in the first round.
Freshman Kaitlin Bast was named the tournament MVP, and Denver had five players selected to the all-tournament team:
Kaitlin Bast, Denver
Bria Beardsley, Denver
Lara Campbell, Denver
Lizzy Carlson, Denver
Jessie Rogers, Denver
Chelsea Fricke, Arkansas State
Kamiya Merrick, Arkansas-Little Rock
Jacquelyn Paz, Arkansas-Little Rock
Jane Picarelli, Arkansas-Little Rock
Christina Veasley, Arkansas-Little Rock
Ellen Scarfone, North Texas
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