TULSA – The University of Denver men's soccer team got an early goal in the press to kickstart a 1-0 shutout of Oral Roberts on Saturday night at Case Soccer Complex.

Scoring Summary:
DEN (9-2-2, 4-0-0): Ohira 7'
ORU (9-2-1, 3-1-1):  

Inside the Box Score:
The Pioneers and Golden Eagles split the 14 shots seven apiece and both took three corner kicks, all in the second half. With the victory, Denver is now two points clear of Oral Roberts and has a game in hand over the Golden Eagles. The Pioneers are also five points clear of Kansas City (Nov. 6 in Kansas City) and six points clear of Omaha (Oct. 30 in Denver).

Quotables – Associate Head Coach Masaki Hemmi:
"I'm really proud of the group for getting a shutout and three points on the road against a good opponent. We knew the game would have its crazy moments, but we stayed together, stayed positive and kept our composure. Did I think we had our best game?, no. But when we needed guys to step up, the guys covered for each other and made the plays they needed to make. I'm really proud of the group for sticking together the way they did tonight."

First Half:
The Pioneers took the lead in the seventh minute, turning the Oral Roberts goalkeeper over in the press before Kengo Ohira knocked the ball into the empty Golden Eagles net after the keeper had slipped in the area. Ohira's goal is his second of the season and the eighth of his career.

Denver outshot Oral Roberts 4-2 in the opening 45 minutes with both teams putting a pair of shots on target.

Second Half:
Denver's defense managed the lead and the quality of the Oral Roberts chances, while earning a couple chances on the counter on the other end.

Eli Mereness and Jake Mecham both had shots stopped in the last 20 minutes as Denver searched for a goal to double its advantage. Both attempts on goal were pushed asides for a Pioneer corner.

Will DeSantis made four saves in his fourth cleansheet of the season.

Up Next:
Denver returns home next weekend to take on Omaha. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. MT on Saturday night.

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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