Roos Give Denver Fight to the End

Friday, April 9

Kansas City, Mo.

6:00 PM

Kansas City

4-11-1, 4-10-1

Denver

13-2-1, 13-1-1

Team	1	2	Final F
Denver	1	0	1
Kansas City	0	0	0

Photo by: Jason Cadena, Kansas City Athletics

Roos Give Denver Fight to the End

4/9/2021 8:21:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Final Box

Kansas City held the Pioneers below their season average, but a 43rd minute goal made all the difference

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City Women's Soccer made a strong showing against the Summit League-leading Denver Pioneers on Friday evening, falling just short of the mark, 1-0. The Roos held the Pioneers below their season average in goals, shots and shots on goal, but a 43rd minute goal by Denver's Natalie Beckman made the difference.
"We felt like we could have won this game, but I'm really proud with how we defended their players," Head Coach Jess Smith said. "They've got a bunch of really special players and we did a really good job of denying them chances."
Denver looked like the best team in the league early in the match, putting up nine shots in the first half. The Roos' defense did well in limiting the quality of those opportunities, allowing just one shot on goal in the first 42 minutes. The lone goal of the match was scored in the 43rd, when Denver drew a foul outside of the box and Beckman put the ball out of the reach of Mackenzie Caldwell and into the back of the net.
It was a tale of two halves coming out of the break, as the Roos looked to have found new life early in the second half. The defense limited Denver to just five shots in the second period while putting up three of their own.
"In the first half, when we won the ball we didn't keep it and get numbers forward," Smith said. "I thought we did a much better job of that in the second half and we played with confidence. That's why we had several moments where we could have capitalized and scored some goals."
Those moments largely started on the foot of Emily Jensen. The junior made multiple plays for the Roos in the second half, finding space on the right side of the field and playing beautiful balls into the box. The connections, however, were just missed and the Roos were unable to equalize the game.
"Emily did really well in the wide space and was able to get a couple of really dangerous shots off," Smith said. "She defended well, and was a catalyst to us being able to attack better in the second half. I'm really proud of the way she came out and played."
The Roos will have another chance at the Pioneers on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m., where seniors Hayden Burnett and Ruth Fiander will be honored for their time as Roos.
"I told the team that tonight was the best soccer we've played all year," Smith said. "What we showed tonight was the team that we could be, and now it's about being more consistent. We're making progress. They're excited with the way that they played and ready to come back on Sunday."