CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The [10/16] University of Denver men's soccer team kept its sixth cleansheet of the season and converted a second-half penalty to defeat [21/14] Virginia 1-0 on Tuesday evening in a top-25 clash at Klockner Stadium.
JACK AND SHEILA WEINBERG HEAD MEN'S SOCCER COACH JAMIE FRANKS:
"I'm really proud of the gritty performance from the guys tonight. I didn't think we had our best night, but to watch the guys support each other and fight together was special. To get three points against a top-25 team on the road in a game like that is a really important moment for us in our season. Not many teams are able to travel and play at all the venues that we have and I'm proud of the team's focus to do their job and earn results away from home.
"Liam Johnson is our leader, and to have him back and healthy to help us close out games is huge. There are things we need to refine, but the hunger and desire to make all the little plays to close out games has been important for us. Our depth has been what separates us, and we have a bunch of players playing at a high level right now, making my job difficult."
SIGNIFICANT STATS:
- Denver is now 22-40-14 against ranked opponents in its Division I history, including 11-21-8 on the road and 13-14-6 under head coach Jamie Franks.
- DU is now 4-2-2 this season against teams that finished in the RPI Top-100 a year ago, with three of the wins coming away from home (Grand Canyon, Maryland and Virginia).
- In his first match since opening night against Gonzaga, Lukas Fisher's goal was his first of the season and the fifth of his career (27 career matches). The goal was also Fisher's second career penalty kick (non shootout).
- Denver improved to 7-1-0 this season and 114-9-12 since Franks' arrival in 2012 when scoring first.
- Denver's all-time leader in Division I wins, Franks recorded his 90th career victory on Tuesday. Since arriving as an assistant in 2012, Franks and the Pioneers have kept cleansheets in 78 of their 125 wins.
KEY MOMENTS:
10' Virginia got the first good look at goal just shy of 10 minutes into the contest, but Leo Afonso pulled his shot to goalkeeper Isaac Nehme's right and out for a goal kick.
18' Aidan O'Toole got Denver's first shot on target after a Ronan Wynne blocked cross bounced to him in the box, but O'Toole's shot was kicked aside by Virginia goalkeeper Holden Brown.
40' The Cavaliers best chance in a half hour, came off the foot from Daniel Mangarov, but his attempt on goal climbed just over the crossbar.
41' Kengo Ohira, who equalized late in the match in Charlottesville a year ago, got a chance in transition, breaking by himself down the Denver left, but his angle was closed quickly and his shot was right at the keeper.
41' Nehme's best save of the opening 45 minutes saw the freshman keeper dive to his right to stop Albin Gashi's attempt on goal, sending the two teams into the intermission scoreless.
Halftime
51' Ian Smith gave Denver just the start it needed to the second half, beating his defender in the penalty area before being tripped from behind, forcing the referee to point to the spot and award Denver a penalty kick. Lukas Fisher converted the spot kick for his first goal of the season.
59' Jake Mecham kept Denver ahead just shy of the hour mark when he cleared an Afonso shot off the line at the far post. The follow up shot was blocked in-front and out for a Virginia corner.
73' Afonso got another shot off with just over 15 minutes to play, but Nehme comfortably made his fourth save of the night.
80' Andy Sullins nearly found an equalizer for the home side, but Jason Belloli cleared the attempt off the line this time to keep the ball out of the Pios net.
84' Wright got on the end of a Sam Bassett set piece from 10-yards inside Denver's half, but his header from just to the right of the penalty spot was blocked by a Virginia defender, sending the ball straight in the air and into the hands of the Virginia keeper.
90' Denver's defense didn't allow a shot in the final 10 minutes, and Nehme came off his line well to draw a foul and see out the final 15 seconds.
Fulltime
WHAT'S NEXT:
Denver continues its four-match road swing on Saturday when the Pioneers travel to St. Thomas. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. MT. On Monday, Denver will head to nationally-ranked [25/ Pitt for a 5 p.m. MT kickoff.
TICKETS:
Single-game tickets are on sale now for all men's and women's soccer matches for the 2022 season. Click here to purchase today.
Visit DenverPioneers.com for complete coverage of all 18 of Denver's NCAA Division I sports.
Like Denver Pioneers and Denver Men's Soccer on Facebook
Follow @DU_Pioneers and @DU_MSoccer on Twitter
Follow @denverpioneers and @denversoccer on Instagram
