Aug. 22, 2003

Box Score

OMAHA, Neb. - The University of Denver men's soccer team tied the No. 8 ranked Creighton Bluejays, 1-1, in exhibition play on Friday night at the Creighton Soccer Complex. Freshman forward Kyle Christensen (Layton, Utah) scored the Pioneers' only goal in their lone exhibition game.

Christensen took a ball from fellow freshman midfielder James Merriman (Nanaimo, B.C) and beat Creighton's goalkeeper from 10 yards out in the 71st minute

"After two weeks of practice it was nice to play against someone else," said Head Coach Chad Ashton. "We now know what areas we have to work on, but tying a top-10 team like Creighton gives us great confidence."

The Bluejays scored their single goal in the first three minutes of the match off the foot of Zach Kinney. The two teams then played 68 minutes of scoreless soccer before Christensen was able to put one home. Neither team could capitalize off opportunities in the two extra sessions. Creighton took four shots in the first overtime, only to see Denver take four in the second.

Sophomore goalkeeper Philip Zaranka (Englewood, Colo.) played 65 minutes in the net for Denver, allowing no goals, while making four saves.

Denver opens its regular season Friday, Aug. 29, at 2 p.m. against Marquette at the Falcon Invitational in Colorado Springs, Colo.