Nov. 14, 2002

Box Score

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Sophomore Christian Bowers (Holladay, Utah) and freshman Thomas Flynn (Broomfield, Colo.) each tallied a goal as the University of Denver men's soccer team defeated conference foe and fourth-seeded Sacramento State, 2-1, in the first round of the Mountain Pacific Tournament, Thursday night at the University of New Mexico Soccer Complex. With the win the Pioneers improve to 9-12-0, while the Hornets end their season 5-10-4.

The victory, the Pioneers third straight, advances them to tomorrow's semifinal match versus No. 1 New Mexico.

After a scoreless first half Sacramento State got on the board first when David Fraser took a pass from the wing and beat Pioneer goalkeeper, senior Brian Lux (Littleton, Colo.). A Joel Rodriquez pass at the 61:57 mark set up the play.

Flynn tied the score, 1-1, in the 73rd minute with his first career goal. The freshman was able to beat Hornets' goalkeeper Matt McDougall in a one-on-one situation in front of the net. Bowers extended the Pioneers' season with the game-winning goal. The sophomore scored from 15 yards out in the 78th minute to give Denver a 2-1 lead. Bowers' first career game-winning goal was his second overall.

"Thomas picked a good time to put up his first points and Christian has been so close so many times this year it is nice to see him break through," said head coach Chad Ashton. "The team is getting hot at the right time and if our defense holds anything is possible for us."

Denver has now won three consecutive games after losing seven. This is also the Pioneers longest winning streak since 2001 when they strung three together between Oct. 19 and Oct. 28.

With the win, Denver advances to the MPSF semifinals for the second time in the last three years. The Pioneers will face No. 1 New Mexico tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. Denver was defeated by the Lobs, 1-0, on Oct. 27 in Albuquerque, but lead the all-time series 9-6-1.

? - Live scoring updates of Friday's semifinal match will be available at www.golobos.com.

Goals by Period       1  2    TotSACRAMENTO STATE....  0  1  -  1DENVER................0  2  -  2
Shots by Period       1  2    Tot     Saves by Period       1  2    Tot---------------------------------     ---------------------------------------SACRAMENTO STATE....  7  7  - 14      SACRAMENTO STATE....  3  5  - 8DENVER..............  6 10  - 16      DENVER..............  2  1  - 3
SCORING SUMMARY:GOAL   Time Team     ## Goal Scorer          Assists------------------------------------------------------------1.   62:04 SAC      16 David Fraser          8 Joel Rodriquez2.   73:44 DENVER    8 FLYNN, Thomas         Unassisted3.   78:13 DENVER    4 BOWERS, Christian     Unassisted