THE RUNDOWN
No. 3 DBU opened the 2022 season with a 3-1 victory over No. 8 UC Colorado Springs Thursday night at Mountain Lion Stadium. The offense scored twice in the second half and forced an own goal by UCCS to earn head coach Marcus Wood a win in his first game as a Patriot. DBU's three-goal outburst against UC Colorado Springs (0-1) is the highest in series history, and the Patriots (1-0) now return to University Hill with a road win over a top 10 program already on their resume. 

DBU began its attack moments after the opening kickoff. An early turnover put the Mountain Lions on their heels as Annie Severide challenged UCCS goalkeeper Alexis Walker with a low-center strike just 50 seconds into the match. After another volley of shots from Severide and Kathryn Mullis was thwarted in the opening minutes, the tide began to change and the Mountain Lions took control of the first half. A cutting pass from Fie Steenberg found the foot of Jadyn LeDoux in the 24th minute, who fired a strike toward the far post that gave UCCS a 1-0 lead. 

But the Mountain Lions failed to find the nylon for the rest of the night as tremendous resolve from Adrianna Schroeder and the Patriot offense won the day. DBU's first goal of the 2022 season came on a set piece in the 49th minute. Haley Roberson connected with Sophia Schrock on a corner kick, who then punched the ball into the lower left portion of the net to tie things up at 1-1. After an own goal by UCCS lifted the Patriots to a 2-1 lead in the 75th minute, DBU pushed across one final score for insurance. With nine minutes left in the game, Severide bullied her way through the Mountain Lions' backline to set Kathryn Mullis up for her first goal as a Patriot. 

THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
-DBU wins its fifth consecutive season opener. 
-The Patriots improve to 3-1-1 all-time versus the Moutain Lions. 
-Sophia Schrock scored the first goal of her DBU career. 

HEAD COACH MARCUS WOOD ON THE WIN 
I want to credit the players for their incredible work. To God be the glory! 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
1 - Junior transfer Haley Roberson earned an assist in her first game as a Patriot. 
7 - Goalkeeper Adrianna Schroeder registered seven saves, the second most of her career. 
8- DBU earned the win on opening night with eight new players in the starting lineup

UP NEXT
No. 3 DBU heads back to the hilltop to host Rogers State on Thursday, September 1.