Denver 3-0 IPFW | Photos

MSOC v IPFW (14 NOV 14) - Highlights
MSOC v IPFW (14 NOV 14) - Post Game

DENVER - The University of Denver has advanced to the Summit League final with a 3-0 win over Fort Wayne at frosty CIBER Field on Friday afternoon. The Pioneers will take on Western Illinois Sunday afternoon in the championship match.

DU opened the scoring in the first half when senior Kosta Kordistos (Lippstadt, Germany) blasted one in from the top of the box in the 29th minute off a cross from Kyle Emerson (Cypress, Texas) . It was his fifth tally of the season and the second consecutive game in which Kordistos has found the back of the net. His double overtime goal last Saturday evening gave the Pioneers a 1-0 win over Western Illinois and the top seed in the Summit League tournament.

"Kosta has been putting in so much work, he's been tireless," said DU head coach Bobby Muuss. "The same way opponents have seen him is the same way he's been in training every day. All those habits and that hard work is really paying off in crucial times."

The Pioneers showed no interest in sitting on a 1-0 advantage. A little more than four minutes into the second half, Reagan Dunk (Dallas, Texas) chipped a ball into the box and Emerson scored on a header from 10-yards out. It was the senior's second goal of the season and gave the Pioneers a 2-0 lead and some breathing room.

DU pretty much put the game away with 25-minutes to play when senior Brian Hoyt (Tempe, Ariz.), on a free kick from 20-yards out drilled one past goalkeeper Cody Schweitzer, who got a hand on the ball. But the force of the strike was too much and the ball sailed into the upper right corner of the net. For Hoyt it was goal number five on the season.

Freshman keeper Nick Gardner (Marvin, N.C.) collected his second career shutout and second blanking in a row.

Up next for DU (10-7-1), Sunday's championship game against Western Illinois (9-6-3). The Leathernecks eliminated Oral Roberts 2-1 in the opening semi-final game.

"They weren't at their best last Saturday and I think coach (Eric) Johnson would say the same," said Muuss. "We're expecting a very, very good team. I think we're going to have to match the intensity of the game. It's just keeping the guys together and just getting excited for Sunday. An opportunity for both teams, especially the University of Denver, to win a conference championship and get an opportunity to play in the NCAA (tournament).

Sunday's Summit League title tilt will kickoff at 1 p.m. at CIBER Field.

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