Oct. 22, 2006

Box Score

DENVER - It was a day filled with frustration, four red cards and a hard-fought battle ending in a 1-1 double overtime tie between the University of Denver men's soccer team and Sacramento State at Pioneer Field this afternoon. The tie was junior goalkeeper Matt Bredehoft's (Fort Collins, Colo.) first of the season, as Denver goes to 10-3-2 and Sacramento State goes to 5-10-1.

"Today was just an example of what happens when both teams play hard," Head Coach Chad Ashton said. "You try to warn your players about allowing things to escalate because this is what happens when they do."

The Pioneers started off slow once again, this time allowing a goal by Sacramento State's Oscar Sandoval in the 11th minute. The Hornets outshot the Pioneers, 8-7, in the first half.

"Today we did the exact same thing we had problems with on Friday against San Jose State, but this time Sacramento State made us pay for it," Ashton said. "We need to start quicker and with more intensity."

The goal went unanswered, ending the half with the best scoring chances coming from junior forward Greg Fiddick (Sidney, B.C) as well as defenders Josh Fallin (Midland, Texas) and Mike Seager (Victoria, B.C.).

The competition escalated as the second half minutes ticked away without another score until sophomore Joey Mathot (Port Moody, B.C.) and Sacramento State's Sandoval were issued red cards in the 78th minute of play. Freshman Kellan Christensen (Layton, Utah) was also issued a red card after a confrontation with the referee.

"The players were tussling and deserved the red cards," said Ashton. "But then to have another one of our players issued a card for language just illustrated the fact that we need to show some composure in those types of situations."

After another red card was issued to the Hornets' David Lopez in the 81st minute, the playing field was leveled to 8-on-8. DU turned up the intensity in the last few minutes, with Fiddick putting in the tying goal on a cross from Colin Jones (Philadelphia, Pa.) with only 52 seconds left in the game.

"We finally started to show the urgency that we needed to start the game and I think we showed a lot of heart in those last few minutes," Ashton said.

After two scoreless overtime periods with Denver dominating the shot battle, 7-0, the game ended in a 1-1 tie.

"When a captain gets sent off like that, the pressure shifts to everyone else's shoulders," senior Ben Mendozza said. "Today's game was a good battle, but hopefully we'll be ready for next weekend."

The Pioneers play their last home game of the season next Saturday, Oct. 28 when they host MPSF and regional rival Air Force at 11 a.m.