Sept. 14, 2003
DENVER - Freshman midfielder Ben Mendozza's (Aurora, Colo.) goal late in the second overtime period was the difference, as the University of Denver men's soccer team defeated the New Hampshire Wildcats, 3-2, Sunday afternoon at Pioneer Field in the last game of the 2003 John Byrden Classic. Denver improves to 3-3-1 as UNH fall to 4-2-0.
Mendozza found the back of the net off a beautifully played corner kick by sophomore midfielder Thomas Flynn (Broomfield, Colo.) in the 106th minute of the match.
The Pioneers were down 2-0 early in the match. Brett Wyman converted a Denver mistake and scored with 10 seconds left in the first half. New Hampshire added another goal just three minutes into the second half when Ross Fishbain converted a Wildcat rebound.
"I am very proud of our guys today," said Denver coach Chad Ashton. "It is difficult to come from behind, but New Hampshire was especially tough. They packed so many people back in the box that it made it hard for us to convert on any of our crosses.
The Pioneers turned up the heat and the tempo on the Wildcats and scored two late goals to send the match into overtime.
Sophomore midfielder Travis Hendricks (Englewood, Colo.) netted Denver's first goal of the game in the 68th minute. Freshman forward Kyle Christensen (Layton, Utah) sent a perfect ball into the box that was headed past the UNH goalkeeper.
Christensen made another big play late in the second half. The freshman got his foot on a loose ball and rifled into the back of the net sending the match into overtime.
The Pioneers kept pressing the Wildcats in the first extra session, but could not score. Denver outshot New Hampshire 13-7, including a 4-0 edge in the overtime periods.
Sophomore goalkeeper Lami Harmon (Newark, Del.) continued his strong play in net, making three saves. Mike Vignola made two saves for UNH.
After dropping their first three matches of the season, the Pioneers are unbeaten in their last four outings (three wins, one tie). It marks the first time since the 2000 season that Denver has been unbeaten in four consecutive games. The Pioneers won five straight in 2000.
In the day's first game, Air Force defeated Northeastern 2-1. Daniel Wasson scored the game winner with two minutes left in the second overtime.
Denver will be in action again next weekend as the Pioneers travel to Tulsa, Okla. for the 2003 Golden Hurricane Classic hosted by the University of Tulsa. Denver will battle SMU on Thursday afternoon at 4 p.m. MT. On Friday Denver will face the host school at 6:30 p.m.
