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.

Wednesday, Nov. 4

Arkansas-Little Rock 1, Florida International 0 (OT)

Kamiya Merrick scored a minute and a half into overtime to lift the eight-seed University of Arkansas-Little Rock a 1-0 victory over the tournament top seed Florida International University on Wednesday.

The lone goal of the match was set up on a pass along the left side from Christina Veasley. Merrick got behind the Panther defense and got a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper and finished in the top right corner of the net.

Trojans' goalkeeper Jane Picarelli made 12 saves in the match, including 10 in the second half to record the shutout. Taylor Gabbert had a team-high five shots.

FIU goalkeeper Kaitlyn Savage recorded eight saves in the match. April Perry paced the Panthers offensive attack with five shots. For the match FIU outshot UALR by a 20-15 margin and held an 8-2 advantage in corner kicks.

UALR advances to Thursday's first semifinal match at 4 p.m. against the winner of either the Middle Tennessee State University and University of North Texas match.

North Texas 2, Middle Tennesseee State 1

The University of North Texas scored three minutes left in regulation to break a 1-1 tie and advance to Thursday's semifinal match with a 2-1 win over Middle Tennessee State University on Wednesday afternoon at the FAU Soccer Stadium.

The Mean Green scored the final two goals in the match to pick up the victory. Michelle Young scored the game-winner after a hard run along the left sideline and attempting a floating shot from inside the attacking box. The ball bounced off the far post and past a scrambling Blue Raiders' goalkeeper.

MTSU's Vanessa Mueggler put the Blue Raiders on top in the 57th minute after receiving a cross from Jen Threlkeld. Mueggler finished one a one-timer from the center of the box to the middle of the net.

North Texas, the tournament's four seed, wasted no time in answering in the 60th minute as Shannon Gorrie found the back of the net from a Young pass.

The Mean Green advance to Thursday's semifinal against Arkansas-Little Rock at 4 p.m.

Denver 3, Troy 0

University of Denver freshman forward Kaitlin Bast scored once in each half to secure the Pioneers another semifinal appearance in the Sun Belt Conference Championships. Denver defeated Troy University 3-0 in Wednesday's first round at the FAU Soccer Stadium.

Bast, a first team All-Conference selection, scored in the 31st and 82nd minutes and Jessie Rogers added the third Denver goal in the 56th minute.

The two-seed Pioneers held a 12-4 shot advantage and had 11 of the 12 corner opportunities in the match.

Denver's Lara Campbell made three saves in goal to record the shutout.

The Pioneers advance to Thursday's semifinal match and will face the winner of the Western Kentucky University and Arkansas State University match.

Arkansas State 1, Western Kentucky 1 (ASU wins shootout 4-2)

The six-seeded Arkansas State University Red Wolves continue the theme of the day in the lower seed team picking up a first round victory. The Red Wolves knocked off the tournament's three seed Western Kentucky University 4-2 in penalty kicks to advance to Thursday's semifinal match.

ASU scored all four times in the shootout and were beneficiaries of a ball hitting the post and the Red Wolves' goalkeeper making a save on the fourth attempt.

Western Kentucky began the shootout with goalkeeper Libby Stout who was denied off the right post. Arkansas State goalkeeper Susan Brown made a diving save to stop Chelsea Grover's attempt to even the shootout at three.

During regulation, the Red Wolves grabbed the early lead in the 17th minute as Michele Clark finished just inside the upper left post after a scramble in front of the net following a left corner kick.

Western Kentucky knotted the score at one in the 25th minute as Megan Meinke scored her fourth goal of the season after a ball rolled through the ball and past the diving Red Wolves' goalkeeper. Meinke finished to the wide open net.

ASU advances to Thursday's semifinal match against the three-time defending tournament champion the University of Denver. The match begins at 7 p.m.

For full coverage of the tournament, visit www.sunbeltsports.org/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4100&ATCLID=204812876 .