THE RUNDOWN 
On Thursday, No. 5 DBU extended its postseason run with a 1-0 win over UC Colorado Springs in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament. A game-winning goal from Delaney Schmidt in the 81st minute lifted DBU (19-3) to the second Elite 8 appearance in program history in front of a packed crowd at Patriot Soccer Field. 

After surviving a pair of early challenges from the UCCS offense, DBU looked poised to take a 1-0 lead after firing off six unanswered shots and four corner kicks midway through the first half. However, the Mountain Lions would hold fast during DBU's offensive attacks and become the aggressors for the remainder of the game. Patriots' goalkeeper Breanna Bowen was phenomenal in the net for the Patriots. The freshman stood tall against the Mountain Lions, facing 19 shots and recording five saves in the first start of her career.

UCCS outshot DBU 12-4 in the second half of action but failed to crack the Patriots defense. Veteran center back Melissa Jones roamed the defensive interior while Blythe Obar and Rachel Allen walled off the backline to help prevent the equalizer. The strong defense turned into offense in the 81st minute when Ashley Merrill and Delaney Schmidt found open grass against Mountain Lions' goalkeeper Alexis Walker. Walker deflected Merrill's shot attempt as Schmidt gathered the rebound for the game-winning strike.  

THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW 
-DBU's 19 wins are the most in school history.
-UC Colorado Springs suffered its first shutout since November of 2019.
-Coach Michelle Lenard earns the 199th win of her career. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS 
3- Delaney Schmidt's goal was her third game-winner of the year.
5- Breanna Bowen earned a season-high five saves. 
80- Summerlyn Heller has started 80 games in a row for the Patriots.

UP NEXT
No. 5 DBU remains home for more postseason action. The Patriots host the Seattle Pacific Falcons on Saturday, December 4, with a trip to the Final Four on the line.