Sept. 10, 2004

DENVER - The University of Denver men's soccer team blanked the Alabama A&M Bulldogs, 8-0, this afternoon in second game of the John Byrden Classic at Pioneer Field. Blake Gaiser (Englewood, Colo.), Scott Davidson (Guilford, Conn.), Jacob Chase (Golden, Colo.), Mark Wellen (Littleton, Colo.), Travis Hendricks (Englewood, Colo.) and Christian Bowers (Holladay, Utah) all scored for the Pioneers.

"Beginning the season 3-0 is a great start and a great accomplishment for the program," head coach Chad Ashton said. "The season is still young and we will continue to improve."

The Pioneers, who are 3-0 for the first time since they moved to the Division I level in 1998, got on the board early and often. Bowers scored what would be the winning goal in the 20th minute. Hendricks notched his second goal of the season just three minutes later. Wellen also scored his second goal of the year in the 26th minute. Davidson ended the first half scoring frenzy with his second goal of the season at the 40th minute.

Chase notched his first career goal in the 53rd minute. Bowers and Davidson both scored again at the 57th and 61st minute, respectively. Gaiser tallied Denver's final goal in the 69th minute.

Ben Mendozza (Aurora, Colo.), Colin Rigby (Mercer Island, Wash.), Mike Seager (Victoria, B.C.), Colby Pearce (Parker, Colo.), Eric Vogel (Cherry Hills Village, Colo.) and Bowers all registered an assist.

Freshman Matt Bredehoft (Fort Collins, Colo.) recorded his second shutout in as many games, making four saves on the day.

Denver outshot Alabama A&M, 20-7.

The Pioneers have outscored their three opponents 15-1 and outshot them 57-22.

Mike Dougherty scored from nearly half-field with 1:06 left in regulation as the Tigers (2-1-1) earned a 1-1 double overtime tie with Loyola of Chicago (0-3-1) in the first game of the John Byrden Classic.

After Loyola took a 1-0 lead in the 53rd minute on a goal by junior Joe Nierzwicki, the Tigers appeared to be on the verge of defeat. However, Dougherty launched a shot from 50 yards away that sailed over the head of sophomore goalkeeper Sean Bond for the game-tying goal.

The John Byrden Classic will conclude Sunday with Alabama A&M facing Loyola Chicago at 10 a.m. and Denver matching-up against Towson at noon.