September 15

Box Score

OMAHA, Neb. - The University of Denver men's soccer team lost a heartbreaking game to No. 14 Creighton Saturday night, falling 2-1 to the Bluejays in the second game of the Ameritas Classic. With the loss, the Pioneers fall to 3-2-0 on the season. Last year's NCAA runners-up improve to 3-1-1.

After a scoreless first half, the Bluejays struck first in the 52nd minute on a deflected corner kick that beat Denver goalie Parker Jarvis (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.) to give Creighton a 1-0 lead.

The Pioneers answered quickly, getting a goal from senior Eric Van Deman (Littleton, Colo.) less than five minutes later that evened the score at 1-1. Van Deman's second goal of the season came on a corner kick from senior Michael Piserchio (Littleton, Colo.) that beat Bluejay keeper Andrew Brown from 12 yards out.

But the tie would be shortlived, as Creighton junior Mike Tranchilla scored his second goal of the game as he coverted a penalty kick just two minutes later that gave the Bluejays a 2-1 lead with under 30 minutes to go. Denver pressured Creighton down the stretch but could never get the ball past Brown the rest of the way as they lost just their second game this season.

"I am about as happy as I can be considering we lost," head coach Chad Ashton said. "It was a good game and we really peppered them in the last 25 minutes but we just couldn't get one past their keeper."

Denver is next in action tomorrow, September 16 in the final game of the Ameritas Classic when they face Southwest Missouri State at 4 p.m.

No. 14 Creighton 2, Denver 1
Omaha, Neb.
Ameritas Classic

        1   2    -- FDenver      0   1    -- 1Creighton   0   2    -- 2


Scoring Summary:Creighton - Franchilla (5) from Del Monte and Wagenhufer, 51:55.DEN - Van Deman (2) from Piserchio, 59:07Creighton - Franchilla (6) Penalty Kick, 61:04.
Shots: Denver 9, Creighton 10.  Saves: Denver 2, Creighton 2.  Corner Kicks: Denver 6, Creighton 5.Fouls: Denver 16, Creighton 16.  Cautions:  DEN - Wilson (YC) at 34:18.  Creighton - Peercy (YC) at 55:24, Tranchilla (YC) at 87:13.