DENVER – The University of Denver men's soccer team completed its weekend sweep of Western Illinois on Saturday evening at the Diane Wendt Sports Complex.

Turning Point:
Kengo Ohira netted his second goal of the weekend in the 51^st minute, and the Pioneers defense allowed just one shot on goal the rest of the way to lead Denver to consecutive wins to open the season.

Inside The Box Score:
-          The Pioneers outshot Western Illinois 11-5 on Saturday, holding the visitors to just one shot on goal.
-          Six cautious were shown in a match that featured 39 fouls.

First Half:
Denver opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the fifth minute when Jacob Stensson converted his first of the season from the mark. Outside back Jake Mecham drew the spot kick, beating his defender to the endline, before taking a couple touches into the box and getting pushed from behind.

Western Illinois' Paul Kirdorf netted his first of the season, also from the penalty spot, to even the score at 1-1 in the 41^st minute. On a long ball played over the top of Denver's back-four, Ronan Wynne fouled WIU's Michael Howell a few yards outside the box, but Howell was granted NBA continuation for his well-timed run to beat the offside trap and referee Santiago Ramirez pointed to the spot.

Second Half:
Denver scored on a quick counter in the 51^st minute to regain a goal advantage. Connor McWilliams started the transition opportunity with a firm tackle to win the ball 10 yards outside his own penalty area. McWilliams got it to Destan Norman, who two touches later picked out Griffin Meyer at midfield. Meyer slotted a through-ball to the diagonal run of Ohira, who worked the ball to his left foot and slotted into the bottom corner.

Up Next:
The University of Denver men's soccer team will continue its four-match homestand on Thursday, March 4, when the Pioneers welcome Oral Roberts to the Diane Wendt Sports Complex.

Coronavirus Updates
For the latest University of Denver updates on the coronavirus, click here.
 
DONATE:
Fans interested in making a donation to the Pioneers Athletic Fund can do so by clicking here. Your gift will transform the lives of our student-athletes by giving them the first-class resources needed to excel in the classroom, in the classroom and beyond. Thank you for Building Pioneers for Life!