DENVER – The University of Denver men's soccer team earned its second victory of the season with a 2-1 win over Pacific on Sunday afternoon at the University of Denver Soccer Stadium.
"I think for us, it's about not beating ourselves," head coach
Jamie Franks said. "Their goal once again is a bad turnover from us. We need to be cleaner in that moment. There was no doubt in my mind that we would still win the game. Great teams find a way to win when they aren't playing at their best, and our group did that today.
"We need more consistency from the group. My job as the leader of the organization is to hold the standards of their work rate, positioning and mentality to a higher level. When we have guys that meet those high standards, and play for eachother, we're a really hard team to beat. Obviously we've had a tough season going on the road and playing the teams that we have. Our identity has been shook a little bit. My group has to look deep and figure out who they want to be and what they want to get out of the rest of this year."
Denver opened the scoring in the 14
th minute on
Preston Judd's (Henderson, Nev.) second goal of the 2019 campaign. Sophomore
Stefan DeLeone (Fort Collins, Colo.) earned a free kick down the right flank to setup the scoring opportunity. Denver's leading point-getter 10 matches into the season
Josh Drack (Chandler, Ariz.) played the set-piece in-between the six-yard box and the penalty spot for Judd to head home.
The Pioneers goal came against the run of possession, but Denver created another great opportunity at the end of the first half that saw redshirt sophomore
Brooks Crawford's (Greenwood Village, Colo.) strike smash against the post.
Proceedings were much more even in the second 45 minutes, a half that saw the first card of the game go to Pacific's Anthony Orendain who received his marching orders for violent conduct right in-front of the Denver bench. Following the sending off, five yellows were issued in the final 19 minutes of play.
Despite going a man down, Pacific did equalize in the 76
th minute when Derick Roque finished his second of the season, capitalizing on a mistake in Denver's six-yard box.
The Pioneers didn't take long to respond, netting the winner in the 80
th minute off the foot of redshirt sophomore centerback
Bailey Heller (Highlands Ranch, Colo.). Drack's first trip to the corner flag on Sunday afternoon proved beneficial to earn the transfer his second assist of the day.
UP NEXT:
Denver begins a four-match road swing on Saturday when the Pioneers return to Summit League action against Western Illinois. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. MT, and the match will be streamed live on ESPN+.
DENVER TICKET OFFICE:
Tickets for the 2019 Denver men's and women's soccer season are on sale now and can be
purchased here.
SHOP PIONEERS:
Get dressed for Game Day! Get your Pioneers gear at
ShopPioneers.com, the official online store of University of Denver Athletics.
OUTSIDE FOOD/DRINK/PETS:
The University of Denver does not allow fans to bring outside food, drink or pets (with the exception of Bark in the Park Days) to the University of Denver Soccer Stadium.
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.
- Our Journey, Our Time –
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