DENVER – The University of Denver men's soccer team will open its 2021 Summit League home schedule when the Pioneers welcome Eastern Illinois to the University of Denver Soccer Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. MT.
Important Links: Denver (5-2-1, 1-0-0) at Eastern Illinois (1-5-1, 1-0-0):
Stream | Live Stats | Tickets
Jack and Sheila Weinberg Head Men's Soccer Coach Jamie Franks:
Jamie Franks is in his seventh season as the bench boss for the Pioneers and his 10th on the Denver campus overall. The head coach of the 2016 National Coaching Staff of the Year has put together a 78-28-14 record and has led Denver to all but two of the league trophies available (2019 regular season and 2017 postseason) since Denver joined the Summit League in 2013.
Series History: Denver vs. Eastern Illinois:
Denver is 8-0-3 all-time against the Panthers and 4-0-1 at the University of Denver Soccer Stadium. The Pioneers swept the two-match season series in Charleston, Illinois, in the spring, 19 months after a 0-0 draw in Denver in 2019. The last 10 meetings between the two programs have been decided by a goal or less.
Last Time Out:
Denver opened Summit League play by defeating 10-men Western Illinois 2-1 in Macomb. The Pioneers doubled up the Leathernecks in shots at 14-7, including 8-2 on target. Jake Mecham scored his first goal in Crimson and Gold to give the Pioneers the lead in the 23rd. Denver doubled its advantage when Stefan DeLeone finished from the penalty spot in the 33rd. Western Illinois pulled one back in the 75th, but Denver opened league play with all three points by closing out the final quarter hour.
Summit League Preseason Poll:
Denver was picked second in the 2021 Summit League Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll, the first time the Pioneers haven't been voted the preseason favorite since joining the league in 2013. Outside of a fourth place finish in 2019, Denver has won at least a share of the Summit League regular season title in the other seven seasons. In addition to the coaches' poll, Stefan DeLeone and Liam Johnson were named to the Summit League Men's Soccer Players to Watch List.
Notes:
- Two-time captain Liam Johnson was named to the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List.
- Denver's freshman class was ranked the seventh-best recruiting class in the country according to Top Drawer Soccer.
- Denver is 71-8-6 at home since Jamie Franks joined the staff in 2012.
- The Pioneers are 37-6-5 in Summit League play since joining the league in 2013.
Up Next:
The Pioneers will cap off a mini two-match homestand on October 9th when the Pioneers welcome league newcomers St. Thomas to the University of Denver Soccer Stadium. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. MT, and the match will be streamed live on Pioneer Vision.
Tickets:
Single game tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online by clicking here.
Coronavirus Updates
For the latest University of Denver updates on the coronavirus, click here.
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