Box Score
DENVER — The Western Kentucky University soccer team wrapped up its three-match road trip Sunday afternoon, suffering a 2-0 defeat to preseason Sun Belt Conference favorites Denver at CIBER Field. The Lady Toppers were held to just three shots on the day, their lowest total since putting up three shots against #9 Memphis on Sept. 4.
Denver (8-2, 2-0 Sun Belt) got on the scoreboard 14 minutes into the match. Katy Van Lieshout and Kari Storslett set up a Kristen Hamilton run with a pair of one-touch passes. Hamilton then got behind the WKU (5-5, 0-2 Sun Belt) defense and shot the ball from 10 yards out and scored to give the Pioneers a 1-0 lead. The Lady Toppers had an opportunity to level the game in the 22nd minute when Mallory Outerbridge had a shot blocked. The Pioneers went ahead 2-0 in the 44th minute as Jessy Battelli headed in a Paige Diamond cross inside the six-yard box. Denver took that lead into halftime, as well as an 8-2 advantage in shots.
WKU had an opportunity to close the gap early in the second half as Lindsay Williams, who had an assist Friday night at North Texas, had a shot go over the crossbar in the 62nd minute. Senior goalkeeper Libby Stout did her part to keep the Lady Toppers in the match in the second half, making a pair of saves. The Lady Toppers also had chances on a pair of corner kicks but could not convert.
Denver outshot WKU 13-3 on the day, holding the Lady Toppers to no shots on goal. The Pioneers also had a 7-5 edge on corner kicks. Stout made three saves on the afternoon. For the first time in program history, WKU has started conference play 0-2.
The Lady Toppers return to the WKU Soccer Complex on Friday, Sept. 30 with a 6 p.m. match against Arkansas-Little Rock. The game against the Trojans marks the start of a season-long four match homestand for WKU.
