DENVER – Sophomore Lukas Fisher recorded his first-career multi-goal game, scoring twice to lead the University of Denver men's soccer team to a 2-0 Summit League win over Eastern Illinois on Saturday night at the University of Denver Soccer Stadium.
Scoring Summary:
DEN: Fisher 35', 36'
EIU:
Jack and Sheila Weinberg Head Men's Soccer Coach Jamie Franks:
"Three points at home is important, and it takes us to six points out of six in the league. The most satisfying part of tonight's performance is that most of the things we worked on this week came into play for us tonight. When you play six of your first eight games on the road, it's hard to find rhythm in certain games. To be back home, and have an entire week of training to get better, really helped the group. The tone was really set by the guys that didn't travel last weekend. When we showed up on Monday, their energy, passion and focus level really set the tone for the rest of the week. This is such a fun group to coach. The potential is so high, and we'll continue to figure out ways to make games like this one a little easier on ourselves by finishing our chances."
Inside the Box Score:
Denver outshot Eastern Illinois 15-8 and took four of the six corners. The Pioneers had 57% possession in their 2-0 home victory.
First Half:
Eastern Illinois created a few chances and earned a couple corner kicks in the opening five minutes, but Denver defended them well, limiting the Panthers to just two shots on goal in the first half.
The Pioneers got their foothold after that spell, controlling 58% of possession in the first half.
Denver opened the scoring in the 35th minute when referee Jamie Morgan pointed to the spot after Oje Ofunrein was pulled down in the area by Alejandro Lurbe. Less than 10 minutes after coming on, Fisher stepped up and smashed his first career penalty into the roof of the net for his second goal of the season.
Just 49 seconds later, Denver doubled its advantage as Fisher completed his first half brace. Jake Mecham found Griffin Meyer in the center of the park. Meyer played the ball into Fisher in the area, who took a couple touches to his left before finding the back of the net for the first time during the run of play this season.
The two goals 49 seconds apart were the sixth-fastest consecutive goals in Denver's DI history, and the fastest since September of 2018.
Denver outshot Eastern Illinois 8-6 in the opening 45 and took three of the five corners.
Second Half:
The Pioneers continued to push for more in the second half, outshooting the Panthers 7-2 and forcing Jonathan Burke into four more saves in the final 45. Kengo Ohira, Stefan DeLeone and Ofunrein all created quality chances that were stopped by the Eastern Illinois keeper.
Will DeSantis finished with three saves in his third shutout of the year.
Up Next:
The Pioneers will continue Summit League play next Saturday when Denver welcomes St. Thomas to the University of Denver Soccer Stadium. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. MT.
Tickets:
Denver men's and women's soccer single game tickets for the 2021 campaign are on sale now, and can be purchased here.
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