FULLERTON, Calif. - The University of Denver men's soccer team, losing its top scorer in junior Matt Harrell (Littleton, Colo.) in the 39th minute, grabbed an early 1-0 lead but Harrell's absence caught up to them as they fell to No. 17 and tournament host Cal State Fullerton 3-1 today at Titan Stadium. The loss ends Denver's season with a record of 9-6-2. Cal State Fullerton improves to 15-4-1 and will play No. 1 San Jose State Sunday afternoon for the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation's automatic NCAA Tournament berth.
Denver grabbed the lead first despite some early Titan dominance that saw them miss two scoring opportunities in the early going. The Pioneers were able to cash in on their first shot of the game, as junior Scott Dixon (Littleton, Colo.) was able to put a head on a corner kick from junior Michael Piserchio (Littleton, Colo.) and get it just past Titan goalkeeper Sean Rockwell, giving Denver a 1-0 lead that they would hold until halftime.
The second half would prove to be the difference in the game, as Cal State Fullerton came out determined not to be upset. The Titans tied the score less than five minutes into the second half, as Kris Hulgreen scored on a pass from Duncan Oughton to knot the game at one goal apiece. Cal State Fullerton would take the lead in the 56th minute when Oughton scored an unassisted goal from 25 yards out as he gathered a loose ball after Denver goalkeeper Parker Jarvis (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.) collided with one of his defenders and Oughton lofted a ball over his head that Jarvis was unable to catch up to, giving the Titans a 2-1 lead. Cal State Fullerton would add another goal in the 67th minute as Hulgreen scored his second of the game on a cross from Art Ramirez and the Titans held on from there for a 3-1 win.
Denver head coach Chad Ashton was disappointed but proud of his team. "We feel like there is a black cloud over our heads," he said. We can't lose our leading scorer in the first 10 minutes and expect to win. I thought our best chance to win the game was to hold onto the 1-0 lead. After they scored to tie it, it kind of snowballed from there.
"I couldn't be more proud of our team for the effort they put out and the game they played today. We are disappointed but our guys know they played their hearts out today," he said.
The Pioneers end their season with the best record since a 14-3-1 campaign in 1997. Denver will return 10 of today's 11 starters next season.
