Sept. 11, 2005

Box Score

DENVER - Senior back Liam Girard (Victoria, B.C.) provided two assists off corner kicks to propel the University of Denver men's soccer team to a 2-1 victory over Wisconsin-Green Bay today at Pioneer Field. Denver's second consecutive victory ups the Pioneers' mark to 2-1-1. The Phoenix fall to 3-1-0.

Both squads got off to hot starts in the first half. UWGB struck first off a free kick at the 10 minute mark. Bati Tola's ball from 28 yards out found the head of Tyler Rosenberg who put it in the back of the net.

DU evened the score when senior back Thomas Flynn (Broomfield, Colo.) scored his second goal of the year at 23:08. Girard crossed in a perfect ball off a corner kick for the assist.

Both teams would get a couple of chances in the final minutes of the half, but neither could score.

Denver's defense tightened in the second half, allowing only two Phoenix shots. The Pioneers' momentum on the defensive end allowed them to control the tempo and counter with several scoring opportunities.

Another corner kick provided DU with the opportunity it needed. Once again Girard served up a perfect ball to the foot of junior midfielder Ben Mendozza (Grandview, H.S.) who beat UWGB keeper Josh Loyd for his second goal of the young season.

The Pioneers' defense held for the next 18 minutes as Denver held on for a 2-1 victory.

"Our defensive intensity during the second half allowed us to get good opportunities," said Head Coach Chad Ashton. "We can now use this momentum to prepare for next weekend."

DU outshot the Phoenix, 18-11, including a 9-2 advantage in the second half. Sophomore goal keeper Matt Bredehoft (Fort Collins, Colo.) made four saves, while Loyd recorded eight.

The Pioneers are back in action next weekend when they play host to Washington on Fri., Sept. 16 at 4 p.m. and UC Davis on Sun., Sept. 18 at 1 p.m. Both games are at Pioneer Field.