Sept. 26, 2003

Box Score

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Sophomore back Liam Girard (Victoria, B.C.) netted two goals, including the game winner as the University of Denver men's soccer team defeated the UMKC Kangaroos, 3-2, Friday night in Kansas City, Mo. Denver's second consecutive victory improves the Pioneers' mark to 5-4-1. UMKC fell to 1-5-1.

Denver allowed its opponent score an early goal as Brian Garcia took a ball from teammate John Clark and chipped it over sophomore goalkeeper Lami Harmon's (Newark, Del.) head from 10 yards out to give the Kangaroos an early, 1-0, lead in the sixth minute.

The two teams played even score until a UMKC foul set the stage for the Pioneers' first tally of the evening. Girard registered his first goal of the season on a shot over the Kangaroo wall on a free kick, tying the score at one heading into the second half.

Denver used the momentum from Girard's goal and came out swinging. Freshman midfielder Ben Mendozza (Aurora, Colo.) exploited a pass from sophomore midfielder Travis Hendricks (Englewood, Colo.) to put the Pioneers in front, 2-1, in the 50th minute. Mendozza beat UMKC keeper, Todd Dohlman, far post from 16 yards out.

Twelve minutes later Girard recorded the game winner. The sophomore capitalized on a penalty kick to give Denver its fifth win of the season.

"There is no excuse for the early mistakes, but I am happy with the way our team responded," said coach Chad Ashton. "We have been a resilient team all year, and I think that showed again tonight."

Dan Hilson added another goal for the Kangaroos, but it was not enough, as the Pioneers escaped with a 3-2 victory.

Harmon registered his fifth win of the season while making three saves. Denver outshot UMKC 12-9.

The Pioneers return to the friendly confines of Pioneer Field for their next three outings. Denver will play host to instate-rival Colorado School of Mines on Sun., Oct. 5. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. The Pioneers will then face Alabama A&M (Oct. 12, 11 a.m.) and San Jose State (Oct. 17, 2 p.m.).