CLEMSON, S.C. – The University of Denver men's soccer team fell to Clemson 1-0 in the second period of extra time on Sunday night at Historic Riggs Field.
 
Denver put a shift in defensively, blocking a handful of shots and diving to break-up several crosses through the 108 minutes to keep Clemson off the board until referee Mike Stutt pointed to the spot in the 108^th minute, whistling Destan Norman for a foul in the box after he blocked a quick pass off a cross into the area. Oskar Agren converted from the spot and the eighth-seeded Tigers advanced to next weekend's round of 16.
 
Quotable – Jack and Sheila Weinberg Head Men's Soccer Coach Jamie Franks:
"I'm super proud of the team's effort tonight. These games are won in the margins, and unfortunately the referee's decision makes the game tonight. Overall, I thought the guys worked really hard, and I'm just gutted for them to see our season end the way it did.  
 
"I want to thank all the seniors. These five guys, four of them who have been here for five years, have made our program better. Their contributions to the program was shown through their integrity, through their passion, through their grit and in their pursuit of excellence every day. They are going to go on to be great partners, great employees, and all-around great people for their communities. They'll leave here having won several awards and trophies, including the top-GPA in the country, seven conference trophies and four NCAA bids. I couldn't be more proud to have been their coach.  
 
"I also want to thank my staff. Masaki Hemmi, Brad Franks, Jose Arenas and Brandyn Bumpas have been incredible this year. Since I went down with an injury, those guys have stepped up in every way I could have possibly asked them to. Their teamwork, communication and love for the student-athletes was on full display. I can't thank them enough for their leadership by example. I also want to thank Matt Shaw and Michael Eckert. They are the best in the business, and our student-athletes are lucky to have them. I want to thank the wives and girlfriends. The support at home, with our travel and the time commitments, is so appreciated, and allows us to come to work and do our jobs well.
 
"Finally, I want to thank the administration. (Vice Chancellor for Athletics and Recreation) Karlton Creech and (Deputy AD and COO) Stu Halsall support our pursuit of excellence in the classroom and on the field that sets the tone for everything we do. Our job is to provide student-athletes with an experience, and I think the University of Denver has gone above and beyond during a worldwide pandemic to give them support and provide them with that experience."
 
First Half:
The Pioneers defended well throughout the first half to limit the quality of Clemson's chances, despite being outshot 10-2 in the first half. Clemson was able to put just three of those 10 shots on target, all saved comfortably by Will DeSantis.
 
Denver's two shots on goal in the opening 45 minutes came from Jake Mecham from outside of the box in the eighth minute that was saved comfortably, and an effort from Stefan DeLeone that was deflected in-front to force an awkward save from Clemson goalkeeper George Marks.
 
Second Half:
Denver tried to hit Clemson on the counter in the first 10 minutes of the half. Lucas Russo got in behind down the Tigers' left channel, but his cross couldn't find the feet of the run of DeLeone, and it was broken up by Clemson's backline.
 
Clemson got back on the front foot, outshooting the Pioneers 9-0 in the second 45, but Denver's centerbacks got a couple crucial blocks in, and DeSantis was called upon to make three relatively comfortable saves in the half. The Tigers took seven corners in the second 45.
 
Extra Time:
Denver outshot Clemson 2-1 in the opening 10 minutes of extra time.
 
Mecham got the first shot off of extra time, but his volley a minute into the period was wide of the target.
 
Kengo Ohira got Denver's other shot of the first period off in the 97^th minute, but his attempt from outside the box was saved comfortably by Marks.
 
DeSantis pushed the only Clemson shot of the first half of overtime off the top of the crossbar and out for a Clemson corner kick.
 
The Tigers had the better of the play in the second half of extra time, eventually earning a penalty in the 108^th minute to win the game.
 
Notes:

• Denver's final three goals conceded this season were on penalties.
  • The Pioneers finished the year having not allowed a goal that wasn't a penalty in their final 560 minutes of the season.

 
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