Nov. 5, 2009

The University of Denver scored three times in the first half to pick a 3-1 victory over Arkansas State University on Thursday night to advance to the Sun Belt Conference Championship title match for the fourth straight season.

The tournament's number two seed Pioneers grabbed the early lead in the 4th minute as Bria Beardsley found the back of the net on a shot from 35 yards out.

Denver's Lizzy Carlson gave Denver a 2-0 advantage in the 16th minute on another long range shot from the right side off a pass from Mariah Johnston.

Kaitlin Bast rounded out the scoring for the Pioneers in the 32nd minute. It is her third goal of the tournament.

The Red Wolves, the six seed in the tournament, grabbed a little momentum by scoring 32 seconds into the second half. Lyndsey Patterson scored off a rebound effort after an initial shot by Lucy Brient hit off of the right post.

Denver advances to Saturday's championship match and will face the number eight seed the University of Arkansas-Little Rock. The match is slated to begin at 1 p.m.