DENVER The University of Denver men’s soccer team is slated to face Loyola Chicago in its home opener at Pioneer Field on Friday, Sept. 5 at 4 p.m. The game will follow the women’s soccer game against Montana.

 

Denver (0-2-0) looks to rebound after a rough opening weekend at the Dayton Flyer Invitational. The Pioneers fell to Dayton 3-1 before losing a heartbreaking 2-1 game to Wisconsin.

 

DU received goals from midfielder Leon Abravanel (South Lake Tahoe, Calif.) and senior defender Colin Jones (Philadelphia, Pa.) in the two games, while sophomore Teale Stone (Tulsa, Okla.) and freshman Gavin Dawson (Carrboro, N.C.) both saw time in net.

 

Meanwhile, Loyola (1-0-1) defeated then No. 5 Santa Clara 2-1 at home and tied Cincinnati 0-0 on the road in its first two games. The Ramblers have been led by senior goalkeeper Brian Burn, who tallied seven saves in his first two outings.

 

Loyola is currently ranked No. 30 in the College Soccer News National Poll, and the Ramblers received eight votes in this week’s NCSAA national rankings.

 

DU is 2-0-1 all-time against Loyola with the most recent meeting last October, when the teams battled to a 1-1 double-overtime tie. Senior forward Kyle Christensen (Layton, Utah) scored Denver’s lone goal.

 

The Pioneers continue their home stretch against San Diego State and Cal State-Fullerton next weekend.