DENVER – The University of Denver men's soccer team got a pair of goals after halftime to earn all three points in its season opener against Western Illinois on Thursday afternoon at Diane Wendt Sports Complex.
Turning Point:
Denver turned a ball off the crossbar into the first goal of the season when Stefan DeLeone found the back of the net in the 50th minute to put the Pioneers in-front for good in their season opener.
Inside The Box Score:
- Denver out-shot Western Illinois 16-2, putting eight of its 16 shots on target.
- The Pioneers held Western Illinois to just one shot on goal, the 54th time in the program's Division I history that DU's defense held an opponent to one shot on goal or less.
First Half:
Denver out-shot Western Illinois 8-2 in the opening 45 minutes, forcing the Leathernecks keeper into four saves. The Pioneers had 57% of the possession in the first half, and took both corner kicks in the half. Ronan Wynne got on the end of two set pieces, Denver's most dangerous chances of the first half.
Second Half:
DeLeone finally got Denver on the board in the 50th minute off Denver's third corner of the evening. Jacob Stensson took the corner in-front of the Denver bench. Jake Mecham got on the end of the initial set piece, heading his shot off the crossbar. Liam Johnson biked the rebound to DeLeone who knocked it behind the endline from three-yards out.
The goal was the fifth of DeLeone's career, while Johnson tallied assist number four and Mecham earned his first point in Crimson and Gold after two seasons at UNLV.
Destan Norman nearly doubled Denver's advantage in the 71st, striking the crossbar from well outside the penalty area.
Norman however did draw a foul outside the box that eventually led to the Pioneers doubling their advantage. Sophomore Kengo Ohira scored his fourth goal as a Pioneer, this one off the ensuing 25 yard free kick to make it 2-0 Denver.
Up Next:
The University of Denver men's soccer team will continue Summit League play on Saturday when the Pioneers once again welcome Western Illinois to the Diane Wendt Sports Fields. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. MT.
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