Nov. 7, 2004

Box Score

DENVER - The University of Denver men's soccer team used 34 shots, including two off free kicks to defeat the UNLV Rebels, 2-0, on Sunday afternoon in Mountain Pacific Sports Federation action at Pioneer Field. The Pioneers' second consecutive victory improves their record to 10-5-1 overall and 7-3-0 in the MPSF. The Rebels fall to 6-11-0, 5-6-0.

Denver dominated the first half, outshooting UNLV, 15-1. The score was 0-0 at half despite the Pioneers 15 first-half shots.

Denver's offensive pressure intensified in the second half and two costly Rebel fouls just outside the box gave the Pioneers both of their goals. The first foul was called in the 53rd minute just after a Denver corner kick. Junior defender Liam Girard (Victoria, B.C.) blasted theball through the wall and into the back to the net for his second tally of the season.

Another foul and a red card on UNLV starting goalkeeper Peter Clitheroe allowed the Pioneers to net their insurance goal in the 70th minute. Instead of Girard taking the kick himself, he touch passed the ball to sophomore midfielder James Merriman (Nanaimo, B.C.) who notched his third goal of the season on the play.

Denver's pressure remained during the final 20 minutes as the Pioneers outshout the Rebels 19-2 in the second half.

Freshman goalkeeper Matt Bredehoft (Fort Collins, Colo.) had to make only one save in his fourth shutout performance of the seaon. Clitheroe registered six and backup goalkeeper Matt Johnson one for UNLV.

Denver outshot the Rebels, 34-3.

The Pioneers return to action on Friday, November 12, when they play host to MPSF rival Air Force at 2 p.m. at Pioneer Field. This game was originally scheduled for 3 p.m., but has been changed due to the possibility of darkness.

                          Soccer Game Summary (Final)
                       The Automated ScoreBook For Soccer
                 UNLV vs Denver (Nov 07, 2004 at Denver, Colo.)

 UNLV (6-11-0, 5-6-0) vs. Denver (10-5-1, 7-3-0)
 Date: Nov 07, 2004  Attendance: 176
 Weather:
 Goals by period       1  2  Tot
 -------------------------------
 UNLV................  0  0 -  0
 Denver..............  0  2 -  2
 SCORING SUMMARY:
  1.  53:40 DENVER Girard, Liam (2) (unassisted)
  2.  70:30 DENVER Merriman, James (3) (Girard, Liam) - Free Kick
 Shots: UNLV 3, Denver 34
 Saves: UNLV 7 (JOHNSON, Matt 1; CLITHEROE, Peter 6), Denver 1
 (Bredehoft, Matt 1)