DENVER, Colo.- The Denver Pioneers extended their home winning streak to 16 games at Pioneer Field with a 4-3, overtime win over Portland. Denver is 2-0-0 on the season, while the Pilots fall to 1-1-0. Denver senior Mychael Movius’ 94th minute goal, her second of the contest, gave the Pioneers the walf-off victory.
“This was one that got away from us,” said Pilot coach Garrett Smith. “You have to capitalize on tough road games when given the chance, and we didn’t today. We will become a better team in the long run as a result of this loss.”
Portland started the scoring with a goal at 22:38 on a header by senior Imani Dorsey off the first corner kick of the game for the Pilots. Lindsey Huie sent the kick to Dorsey who deposited the ball to the far post, giving Portland a 1-0 advantage.
Denver answered with a goal just over a minute later by Movius on a free kick from 25 yards. It was the first real threat by the Pioneers as Movius hammered a shot over the wall to knot it up at 1-1.
“We went into halftime tied at one feeling like it was our game to win,” said Smith.
The Pilots responded by regaining the lead after halftime when Huie scored her first goal of the season in the 46th minute. Just after the kickoff, Huie weaved past Denver defenders before settling and rocketing a shot into the net from the right side of the box.
Pilot freshman Lisa Sari made a tough finish for her first collegiate goal in the 60th minute. Fellow freshman Angie Woznuk sent a through ball to Sari, who held off defenders on her hip to give Portland a 3-1 lead.
Denver refused to give in though and put two goals on the board in the final 10 minutes of regulation to send the match into overtime.
At 81:45, Denver junior Diana Brunkhardt made the score 3-2 with her first goal of the season. A long throw-in by senior Jenni Harris caused a scramble in front of the Portland goal. The Pilots were unable to clear the ball, and Brunkhardt tapped it in for the goal.
Jamie Norwood’s header off a corner with just over three minutes left in regulation tied it at three and gave Denver the momentum. Movius’ 30 yarder was perfectly placed over Pilot keeper Cori Alexander for the game-winner at 93:59. It was her ninth career gam-winning goal.
Denver recorded 16 shots and six corners, while Portland managed 12 shots and five corner kicks. Alexander made seven saves in net for the Pilots while freshman goalkeeper Danielle Wiley made four saves in earning her first win on the pitch.
“As young as we are, this loss will help volumes as a learning experience down the road,” Smith noted . “It’s not how you start a season that counts, it’s how you finish.”
UP NEXT: Portland travels to Stanford on Fri., Sept. 5 before concluding the road trip Sun., Sept. 7 at San Jose State. The Pilots home opener will be as the host of the NIKE Portland Invitational on the weekend of Sept. 13-14. Portland plays CS-Fullerton on Sat., Sept. 13 before concluding the tournament against Connecticut on Sun., Sept. 14. Both start times are set for 2:15 p.m.
