GRAND FORKS, N.D. - Playing an end-to-end first half and owning a one-woman advantage for most of the second half, the University of North Dakota (3-5 Summit) could not overcome a two-goal deficit to Denver (10-2-1, 10-1-1 Summit) as the Fighting Hawks dropped the series finale, 2-0.

North Dakota put four shots on frame in the contest, including two chances in the second half with the player advantage. 

Denver broke the scoreless contest in the 25th minute on a Sami Feller header inside the 18-yard box on a cross from Chaynee Kingsbury with Natalie Beckman's lead-up play. 

The Pioneers doubled the lead in the 40th minute on a penalty kick as Beckman slotted the ball to the top of the net to give DU a 2-0 lead.

Mara Yapello, who took three shots on goal in the match, cracked two shots in the opening period and played a part in the Fighting first chance in the second half.

Hannah Olson placed a perfectly weighted through ball to Yapello, who slipped past her marker and was one-on-one with goalkeeper Nerea Arrazola. As Yapello got closer to the 18-yard box, defender Devan McSwain closed ground but fouled Yapello as she was setting herself up for a shot and received a straight red card in the 52nd minute.

Lining up 20-yards out from the goal line, Olson fired a shot into the Pioneer wall and collected the loose ball for another shot but could not slip it through the wall to put it on target.

Following an injury timeout, Olson put one shot on target after receiving a Cassie Giddings throw-in. Olson dribbled and weaved her way through the defense, holding off the Pioneers to the top of the box and fired to the near post where Arrazola made the stop.

In net, Madi Livingston made three stops, including two in the first half.

North Dakota will close its three-weekend homestand on March 26 and 28 when it hosts Kansas City at Bronson Field. The Fighting Hawks will honor its seniors Sarah Doran, Ashley Ebeling, Karly Sandoval, Megan Wright, and Yapello.