Sept. 1, 2001
Box Score
PORTLAND - Denver's Matt Harrell capitalized on a pair of Portland defensive miscues for two goals on Saturday, giving the University of Denver men's soccer team a 2-1 victory over the University of Portland at Merlo Field. With the win, Denver stands at 1-0-0 on the season. Portland falls to 0-1-1 and suffered their first season-opening loss since 1982, a streak which included just two ties.
Nearly 18 minutes into the second half after a scoreless opening 45 minutes, Harrell pounced on a ball misplayed by Portland keeper Curtis Spiteri some 35 yards from goal, knocking in a bouncing ball into an open net that gave the Pioneers a 1-0 lead. Just over three minutes later, a Pilot backpass was intercepted by Denver's Nic Hartman, who played a centering pass to Harrell who calmly slotted the ball near post under a diving Spiteri that gave Denver a commanding 2-0 advantage.
Portland's Kelly Gray put Portland on the board in the 76th minute, heading in a Jarrod Weis corner kick that cut the Denver lead to 2-1, but it was not enough as the Pioneers held the Pilots out of net the rest of the way as the Pioneers won their season-opening game for the second consecutive year.
The two teams combined for 25 fouls and six cautions.
"This is a big big win for our team," Head Coach Chad Ashton said. "It's a great feeling to get started on the right foot like this and beat a solid team to open the season."
The Pioneers are next in action Monday, Sept. 3 when they take on Gonzaga at Portland at 1 p.m. MST.
Denver (1-0-0) vs. PORTLAND (0-1-0)
Date: Sep 01, 2001 Attendance: 961
Goals by period 1 2 Tot
DEN................. 0 2 - 2
PORTLAND............ 0 1 - 1
SCORING SUMMARY: 1. 62:15 DEN Harrell, Matt (unassisted) - keeper misplayed, open goal from 35 yards out
2. 65:22 DEN Harrell, Matt (Hartmann, Nic) - low cross, near post drive
3. 75:49 POR GRAY, Kelly (WEIS, Jarrod) - header off corner
Shots: DEN 9, PORTLAND 6
Saves: DEN 0 (), PORTLAND 2 (SPITERI, Curtis 2)
