THE RUNDOWN 
The No. 10 DBU Women's Soccer Team saw their season come to a close tonight at Patriot Soccer Field following a 4-2 loss to UC Colorado Springs. The Patriots found momentum in the second half to come within one goal in the final five minutes but were unable to score the equalizer.  

The fast and physical nature of this matchup stood out the most as seasons were on the line for each team. DBU controlled offensively for much of the first half, outshooting UCCS 11 to 4. The Patriots had two corner kicks within the first eight minutes, but it was UCCS who scored first on just their second shot of the night. Hazel Wright's corner kick fell right onto the head of Kaitlin Hinkle who delivered the match's first goal in the 18th minute. The Mountain Lions held on to their lead in the final 27 minutes and were able to defend the net from DBU's three corner kicks in the final five minutes of the first half.  

The Patriots came into the second 45 minutes with renewed confidence as they went on to find the equalizing goal just two minutes into the half. It was Kaleigh Naizer who delivered the first goal for DBU off of a pass by Mckenna Vela inside the 18-yard box. The Mountain Lions responded quickly with pressure high on their attacking half where Jessica Rockwell's shot found the back of the net to put UCCS in front once again. DBU held their composure, attempting to gain back possession, but Fie Steenberg made a cross inside the box to Kaitlin Hinkle for her second goal of the night to put the Mountain Lions up by two.  

The Patriots' grit and determination shined through the final ten minutes, where they desperately looked for the goal that would bring them within one. In the 85th minute, their efforts to control possession paid off with a goal by Sophia Schrock, who received a pass from Parker Coe to bring the score to 3-2. DBU picked up the pace as they were down one goal with five minutes to play, but the Mountain Lions continued to intercept passes and interfere with the Patriot's playmaking.  

In the final minute of the game, the Patriots earned a set piece chance where "Marta" Michelle Gonzalez set up to kick to her entire team, including freshman goalkeeper Carmen Lopez who had come out of goal for DBU. Gonzalez's kick fell perfectly onto the head of Sophia Schrock, but that attempt was intercepted by goalkeeper Isabella Whitman who found Kaitlin Hinkle in the midfield. Hinkle dribbled to an open net to deliver the fourth and final goal for UCCS and solidified their advancement to the third round with the 4-2 win over DBU.  

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW 

• The Patriots nearly doubled the Mountain Lions in shots, making a total of 20 attempts compared to their 12. It was UCCS, however, who led in shots on goal, earning a total of eight to DBU's seven.  

• The Mountain Lions struck first in the 18th minute, marking the first time DBU trailed an opponent all season. 

• Kaleigh Naizer and Sophia Schrock were responsible for the Patriots' pair of goals. Naizer scored her first goal of the season, and Schrock scored her tenth goal of the season.  

INSIDE THE NUMBERS 

13- DBU had 13 corner-kick opportunities against the Mountain Lions, compared to their two. DBU, a team that has always dominated their opponents in set-piece chances, found one goal from the corner.  

3- The Patriots gave up three goals on the night, which was the most they had surrendered in a game all season.  

10- Sophia Schrock scored her team-leading tenth goal of the season in the 85th minute of the game. She now ranks in the top ten for most goals in a season in DBU history.  

A YEAR IN REVIEW 

• The Patriots gave up ten goals all season, which is the ties the lowest number of goals allowed in a season in DBU history. In 2020, DBU also surrendered just 10 goals.  

• Taylor Tufts now holds DBU's single-season total assists record, earning 19 on the season.  

• This team made a total of 380 shots this season, which is the top-five most shots in a season in program history.  

• DBU made 20.0 shots per game on average this season, which is the second-highest average in DBU history. The best average came in 2022 when the Patriots made 20.3 shots per game.  

• In total, the Patriots had 160 set-piece opportunities, which is the most in a season in program history.   

• The Patriots earned their first loss of the season against UCCS after finishing the Conference tournament with a record of 14-0-4. 2019 was the last time that DBU went undefeated until the NCAA Tournament where they suffered their first loss and ended their season.  
   

DBU POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCE