BERKELEY, Calif. – The University of Denver men's soccer team earned its first victory of the 2019 campaign, keeping its second cleansheet of the season in a 1-0 win at [RV/-] California on Sunday afternoon at Edwards Stadium.
 
"I'm really proud of the guys," head coach Jamie Franks said. "Adversity found us again today with two calls that we disagreed with setting up great chances for them, but our guys stayed resilient and persevered through the moment. After this road swing, there's no one in the country that's gone through more adverse moments than our group. I'm proud and happy of how the group responded today. It's been a tough 17 days of the past 21 on the road, but we were rewarded with a result."
 
With the victory, Denver is now 9-9-2 against teams listed as "others receiving votes" in the United Soccer Coaches' Poll, including 8-2-1 under Franks.
 
Just shy of the half hour mark, junior Preston Judd (Henderson, Nev.) got his first goal in Crimson and Gold, heading a feed from junior winger Josh Drack (Chandler, Ariz.) to put the visitors in front. The goal is the 23^rd of the three-year career of Judd, who transferred from California Baptist in the offseason. Drack picked up his first assist of the campaign and the eighth of his career that includes seven in his two years at Grand Canyon.
 
Since Franks joined the staff as an assistant in 2012, Denver has now outscored opponents 80-29 in the opening 30 minutes of matches.
 
Cal outshot Denver 10-4 in the opening 45 minutes, but Denver's defense controlled the quality of the chances, limiting the Bears to just two shots on goal in the first half.
 
Redshirt-junior Will Palmquist (Denver, Colo.) made eighth saves in his eighth career shutout, including denying Taylor Davila from the penalty spot in the 79^th minute to keep the Pioneers in front. The cleansheet is the 69^th since Franks joined the staff in 2012 (61-0-8).
 
The Pioneers victory pushed their RPI up to 55^th in the country in the early stages of the season.
 
UP NEXT:
Denver's 2019 home opener will take place on Saturday, September 21, as the Pioneers host SMU at 5 p.m. MT as part of a double header with the women's program (Colorado – 7:30 p.m. MT).
 
2019 Season Tickets:
Season tickets for the 2019 University of Denver men's and women's soccer regular season are on-sale starting at $55. Season tickets can also be purchased online, by clicking 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.  


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