Sept. 3, 2004

DENVER - The University of Denver men's soccer team extinguished the University of Illinois at Chicago Flames, 4-1 this afternoon at Pioneer field in the Pioneers 2004 opener. With the victory, head coach Chad Ashton recorded his 56th career win, which makes him the second winningest coach in Pioneer soccer history. A Pioneer corner kick during the game's second minute provided the first scoring opportunity. Junior Travis Hendricks (Englewood, Colo.) was able to get his head on ball after Flamers keeper, Ross Cain, punched it away. The ball landed on the feet of sophomore Kyle Christensen (Layton, Utah) who blasted it into the back of the net. UIC would even the score at 1-1 during the game's 40th minute as Tonci Skroce got his foot on a loose ball in the box and put it past newcomer Justin Durst (Destin, Fla.). With the game tied at one, the Pioneers came out with passion to begin the second half. Senior Mark Wellen (Littleton, Colo.) put Denver up for good off a header from the left-hand-side. Sophomore James Merriman (Nanaimo, B.C.) provided the assist. "We played hard and with passion for the first 15 minutes of each half," said coach Ashton. "It was not a complete game, but it was enough to get us the victory." Merriman scored a goal of his own 30 seconds later off a free kick. Hendricks ended the scoring in the 87th minute, putting in a rebound off a Christensen shot. Durst, playing his first game as a Pioneer, recorded the win in goal registering four saves while facing nine shots. Denver outshot UIC, 21-9.