Sept. 3, 2003

Box Score

MORAGA, Calif. - Freshman midfielder James Merriman (Nanaimo, B.C.) and sophomore midfielder John Mendes (La Mesa, Calif.) each tally a goal, but it is not enough as the University of Denver men's soccer team fell to the Saint Mary's Gaels, 3-2, Wednesday night at Garaventa Field in Moraga, Calif.

The Gaels jumped out to an early 2-0 lead, thanks to two goals by Matt Fitzgerald. His first goal came in the 9th minute of the game off an assist from Diego Rovira. Fitzgerald's second score came off a ball from Jon Bernal.

Saint Mary's carried its 2-0 lead late into the first half, but the Pioneers answered with a goal from Merriman. Gael keeper Kellan Wilson blocked the freshman's initial shot on goal but his second was misdirected and crept Wilson.

The Gael received an insurance goal by Adam Zielske, which was assisted by Fitzgerald in the 69th minute. Zielske's goal gave Saint Mary's a 3-1 lead before Denver added a late penalty goal by Mendas to make it 3-2.

Sophomore Lami Harmon (Newark, Del.) got the start, and played all 90 minutes in net for the Pioneers, making two saves while allowing three goals.

Our defensive game, playing the ball in the air and stopping penetration, has to improve immensely or we are going to have a tough couple of weeks," Head Coach Chad Ashton said. "Our offense was much better, but we need to have an entire match with all facets of our game ready to go and right now that is just not happening. We had a better effort tonight than in our first two outings, but it was still not enough to get a win."

The Pioneers will be in action again this weekend at the Panther Invitational in Milwaukee, Wis. Denver will play the host squad, the No. 14 ranked Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panthers on Sat., Sept. 6 at 1 p.m. MT. On Sun., Sept. 7 the Pioneers will battle Cal Poly at 11 a.m. MT.