Box Score Oct. 29, 2016 Omaha 0-0 [4] Denver |Buy Tickets
OMAHA - The [4/3] University of Denver men's soccer team clinched at least a share of the Summit League regular season title with a 0-0 draw at Omaha on Saturday afternoon at Caniglia Field. Denver has completed its league slate, but Omaha needs a win next weekend at Oral Roberts to draw level on points atop the league table.
With the result Denver earned its fourth-straight Summit League regular season title.
"For us to come out on the road and get a draw is a good result," head coach Jamie Franks said. "We lacked a little bit of our proactive fighting football today and when we go back and look at the week of preparation, that's on me. We'll learn from our mistakes, and get better from them as we get ready for Portland on Thursday."
The two teams played to a scoreless opening 45 minutes with both taking five shots and two corner kicks. Redshirt-junior James Bannon-Schneebeck (Albuquerque, N.M.), who made his first career start and earned his third collegiate CAP on Saturday, made the only save in the first half.
"I'm very proud of James' performance today," Franks said. "To lose your father after a six-year fight with ALS last week and to come in and put in the performance that he did today is exceptional. It speaks volumes to his character and maturity, and I know his teammates are proud of his resiliency."
"Omaha's direct style approach makes you defend, and I'm glad we got to see it today as we think about the possibility of a rematch in the Summit League Tournament. Keeping another shutout is something we take great pride in and is a positive we can draw from today."
Omaha (8-4-4, 4-0-1 Summit) outshot Denver (14-0-3, 5-0-1 Summit) 6-2 in the second 45 minutes with both teams taking a corner kick. Denver got both of its shots on goal, one off the head of junior centerback Kortne Ford (Greeley, Colo.) in the 54th minute and the other off the boot of junior Graham Smith (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) in the 74th.
Sophomore Andre Shinyashiki (Sao Paulo, Brazil) had Denver's lone shot on goal in the extra session, looking for a goal in his third game running, but the DU striker's shot was kept out by Joseph Ghitis' third save of the afternoon.
With the draw on Saturday, Denver did extend its regular season unbeaten streak to 34 matches, a stretch that will hit two years on Monday.
Saturday's shutout is Denver's 11th of the campaign, one shy of the Pioneers total in 2015.
Up Next:
The Pioneers will wrap-up the 2016 regular season on Thursday as Denver welcomes [RV/30] Portland to CIBER Field at the University of Denver Soccer Stadium. Then the following week, Denver will host the 2016 Summit League Men's Soccer Championships on Nov. 10 and Nov. 12. Tickets for the Summit League Men's Soccer Championship are on sale, and can be purchased here.
Denver would take the top seed into the Summit League Tournament with an Oral Roberts win or draw when the Golden Eagles host Omaha next week, or Denver would take the top spot on goals for with a 1-0 Omaha win and would take the top spot on shutouts in league play with a 2-1 Omaha win. Omaha would take the top seed at CIBER Field in two weeks with a two-goal win or a 3-2 one-goal win or higher.
Tickets:
Single game tickets for the 2016 Denver soccer season are on sale, and can be purchased, here.
Fans interested in making a donation to the men's soccer program can do so by clicking here. Your contribution will make a direct impact on the success of YOUR Pioneers. Thank you in advance for your unwavering support of our student-athletes and their quest for excellence.
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