Nov. 14, 2004

Final Stats

DENVER - The University of Denver men's soccer team used an entire team effort in a 3-2 win over the Air Force Falcons on Sunday afternoon in Mountain Pacific Sports Federation action at Pioneer Field. The season finale was scheduled to be played in Colorado Springs, but was moved to Pioneer Field due to the recent snow fall in the Springs. The Pioneers' fourth consecutive win improves their record to 12-5-1 overall and 9-3-0 in the MPSF. The Falcons end their season 8-10-1, 4-8-0.

An intense Denver team started quickly, scoring in the game's ninth minute. Sophomore midfielder James Merriman (Nanaimo, B.C.) used a free kick to pass the ball to newcomer Zack Kobilca (Aurora, Colo.) who then handcuffed Air Force keeper Mike Maynard with a 30-foot knuckler.

The Pioneers took what seemed to be a commanding 2-0 lead when junior midfielder Travis Hendricks (Englewood, Colo.) scored off a perfect header. Senior forward Christian Bowers (Holladay, Utah) provided the ideal cross.

The Falcons refused to go away as Scott Muir and Marcus Sagasume each tallied goals before the half, tying the game, 2-2, at the break.

Denver returned to the field focused and determined to get a victory. Another free kick would give the Pioneers the opportunity they needed. This time Merriman sent the ball into the box and onto the diving head of fellow sophomore midfielder Ben Mendozza (Aurora, Colo.) in the 51st minute. Thirty-nine more minutes would follow, but Denver's defense made Mendozza's goal stand.

Freshman goalkeeper Matt Bredehoft (Fort Collins, Colo.) made four saves in his ninth victory of the season. Maynard recorded nine for Air Force.

The Pioneers outshot the Falcons 22-9, and had an 8-5 advantage in corner kicks.

Denver's 12 overall and 10 home wins are both the most since it made the move to Division I in 1998. The Pioneers have not won more than 10 games since 1997 when they won 14. Denver's 10 home victories are the most since 1990 when it also won 10. The Pioneers' four-game winning streak is their longest since 2000, when they won five consecutive games.

The Pioneers will now wait until Monday to find out if they earned an at-large bid in NCAA Tournament. The pairing will be officially announced at 2 p.m. on ESPNNews.

                          Soccer Game Summary (Final)
                       The Automated ScoreBook For Soccer
              Air Force vs Denver (Nov 14, 2004 at Denver, Colo.)

 Air Force (8-10-1, 4-8-0) vs. Denver (12-5-1, 9-3-0)
 Date: Nov 14, 2004  Attendance: 173
 Weather:
 Goals by period       1  2  Tot
 -------------------------------
 Air Force...........  2  0 -  2
 Denver..............  2  1 -  3
 SCORING SUMMARY:
  1.   9:21 DENVER Kobilca, Zack (Merriman, James) - Free Kick
  2.  23:44 DENVER Hendricks, Travis (Bowers, Christian)
  3.  38:07 AF Scott Muir (unassisted) - Turnover in midfield
  4.  39:19 AF Marcus Sagastume (Colin Eames)
  5.  51:42 DENVER Mendozza, Ben (Merriman, James) - Header off free kick
 Shots: Air Force 9, Denver 22
 Saves: Air Force 9 (Mike Maynard 9), Denver 4 (Bredehoft, Matt 4)