Oct. 17, 2003

Box Score

DENVER - Sophomore midfielder Thomas Flynn (Broomfield, Colo.) netted the Pioneers lone goal but it was not enough as the University of Denver men's soccer team fell to San Jose State, 2-1, Friday at Pioneer Field. Denver's loss marks its first in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation and moves its record to 6-6-1 (0-1-0). The Spartans boosted their record to 7-3-2 (2-0-0).

The Pioneers dominated early and struck first in the fifth minute of the game. Freshman Kyle Christensen (Layton, Utah) threw the ball in bounds as Flynn perfectly headed the ball past the Spartan goalkeeper for his team-leading fifth goal of the season.

Although Denver kept the momentum, SJSU managed to get one past sophomore goalkeeper Lami Harmon (Newark, Del.). Off a pass from Daniel Perez, Johnny Gonzalez chipped the ball into net for his seventh goal of the season. The teams remained tied at the end of the first half.

The second half began more physical than the first and it hurt the Pioneers as sophomore Liam Girard (Victoria, B.C.) was issued a red card in the 69th minute of the game. Playing a man down, the Pioneers held off the Spartans until Gonzales crossed the ball in front of the Denver net. Randy Poggio got the first touch and slipped the ball past Harmon for the win.

Harmon made five saves on the day and moves his record to (6-3-1). This match marks the second consecutive game that the Pioneers have out shot opponents (17-12) and come away with a loss.

"We create great opportunities, but are unable to finish," said coach Chad Ashton. "We need to find away to turn those opportunities into goals."

The Pioneers will begin a two-game road trip on Oct. 19, when they travel to Sacramento, Calif., to take on Sacramento State at 2 p.m. MT. Denver continues conference play when it travels to San Diego, Calif., to face San Diego State on Oct. 24, at 4 p.m. MT