On a hot day at Barclay-Thomsen Field, Maddy Regan's first-career goal helped the Denison women's soccer team secure a 1-0 season-opening win over Capital University on Saturday afternoon in Granville.

The first 45 minutes saw very little action offensively as the two teams combined for just three shots.  In the 60th minute, the Crusaders generated their best scoring opportunity of the day when Kaylee Phillips got behind the defense and went one-on-one with sophomore goalie Andrea Karl.  As Phillips wound up to unleash the shot, a charging Karl made a sliding play to block the shot back into Phillips and out of bounds.  The DU keeper's phenomenal play kept the game knotted at 0-0.

Even though the Big Red were limited to three shots in the second period, it was the second one of the frame that made all the difference.  In the 82nd minute, senior Jenny Dean sent a crossing pass from the right sideline into the middle of the field.  From 25 yards out, Regan settled the cross, turned and looped a shot that got behind Capital goalkeeper Maggie Donnellan and under the cross bar.

Over the final 8+ minutes, the Denison defense held the Crusaders to just two shots, only one of which was on goal.

Capital outshot DU 9-5, and outcornered the Big Red 7-2.  The Crusaders committed 10 fouls, while Denison was flagged for nine infractions.  Both Karl and Donnellan made two stops on the day.

The Big Red improve to 1-0 on the year, while Capital falls to 1-1.  Denison returns to action on Sunday (Sept. 4) when they host Marian at 1 p.m.