CHAPEL HILL, N.C. The University of Denver mens soccer grabbed a quick 1-0 lead over North Carolina Greensboro in the third game of the Nike Carolina Classic, but the Pioneers were unable to hold onto the lead as they dropped their third consecutive game, 2-1 Saturday afternoon. With the loss, Denver drops to 1-3 on the season. UNC Greensboro improves to 3-3.

The Pioneers got a goal just three minutes into the contest as junior Michael Piserchio (Littleton, Colo.) put a pass from fellow junior Matt Harrell (Littleton, Colo.) off the post and into the net to give Denver a 1-0 lead. The Pioneers would hold the lead for the remainder of the first half and head into halftime ahead, 1-0.

But the lead would not last, as the Spartans would score twice in the second half to send Denver to their third consecutive defeat. Chris Goos tied the score in the 57th minute for UNC Greensboro as he rifled a shot past Parker Jarvis (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.) on a pass form Alejandro Moreno to make it 1-1. Mike Hemphill got the game winner for the Spartans in the 71st minute and the UNC Greensboro defense held Denver without a score the final 87 minutes to come up with their second win in two days.

Denver head coach Chad Ashton was extremely pleased with his teams performance in the Nike Carolina Classic. I am real proud of this team this weekend, he said. We fought hard in every game and played really well. With yesterdays (a 1-0 loss to North Carolina) and todays games, the guys proved to me that they can play with any team in the country. They left their hearts on the field and for that I am extremely proud.

Denver is next in action Friday, Sept. 22 when they play New Mexico in the Air Force Academy Falcon Classic at 2:00 p.m.

Denver Mens Soccer at Nike Carolina ClassicDenver          1     0  --  1UNC Greensboro  0     2  --  2
Scoring Summary:  Denver, Piserchio (Harrell) at 3:00.UNC Greensboro, Goos (Moreno) at 57:45.UNC Greensboro, Hemphill (Te Winkel) at 71:10.
Shots:UNC Greensboro 18, Denver 8.  Fouls: UNC Greensboro 18, Denver 14.  Corner Kicks: UNC Greensboro 11, Denver, 5.  Cautions: UNC Greensboro 4, Denver 2.  Saves: UNC Greensboro 4, Denver 8.