DALLAS – Senior striker Andre Shinyashiki (Sao Paulo, Brazil) converted from the penalty spot in the 50^th minute for his fifth goal of the season and his third game-winner in three matches to lift the [19/2] University of Denver men's soccer team over [RV/-] SMU 1-0 on Monday night at Westcott Field in a rematch of the 2015 NCAA Second Round.

"At the end of the day, we didn't have our best night and we made more mistakes than we typically do, but the guys dug in and we found out a lot about our team tonight the way we grinded out that result," head coach Jamie Franks said. "Our leaders, Andre Shinyashiki and Scott DeVoss, were big for us tonight. We had to deal with a lot of long throws and corners, but we handled them well. We've got to continue to get better every day as we prepare for Friday night." 

Denver (3-0-0) is perfect through three matches for the first time since the 2004 season.
 
The Pioneers held a 5-4 edge in shots in the opening 45 minutes, with both goalkeepers being called upon to make two saves in a scoreless first half. Denver's best chance of the stanza came off a Moshe Perez (Shim'a, Israel) in-direct free kick from inside the penalty area after an SMU back pass. Perez's 12-yard free kick rattled the top of the crossbar and went out for a goal kick.
 
Redshirt-senior Eric Kronenberg (Boulder, Colo.) drew the penalty kick in the 50^th minute to setup the Shinyashiki breakthrough, getting the ball around a tackle from an SMU defender before being taken down in the right corner of the penalty area. Shinyashiki took his spot kick well, putting it in the corner to put the Pioneers ahead in the opening minutes of the second half.
 
With the goal, Shinyashiki took the out-right lead in Denver's Division I career goals chart with 28, while extending his points and career-goal records.

Senior goalkeeper Nick Gardner (Marvin, N.C.) earned the 23rd clean sheet and the 37th win of his career, and is now the Denver Division I leader in both categories. 
 
UP NEXT:
The Pioneers will begin a four-match homestand on Friday as Denver welcomes [21/RV] Colgate to the Mile High City. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. MT.
 
TICKETS:
Season tickets for the 2018 Denver men's and women's soccer season are just $55 dollars, and can be purchased here. Single-game tickets for the 2018 Denver men's soccer season are also on sale, and can be purchased here.
 
PIONEER MOVEMENT: 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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