PHOENIX – The [-/28] University of Denver men's soccer program got a late goal from Ian Smith to take the Pioneers past [RV/RV] Grand Canyon in Denver's first road match of the 2022 campaign on Sunday night at the GCU Soccer Stadium.
QUOTABLE:
"It was a gritty performance from the guys tonight," Jack and Sheila Weinberg Head Men's Soccer Coach Jamie Franks said. "To go on the road for the second game of the weekend and grind out a result like that took a collective performance. Ian Smith's start to the season after redshirting last year is a testament to the development cycle we have here at Denver, and I'm really happy that his hard work the last 15 months has paid off."
SIGNIFICANT STATS:
- Ian Smith's game-winner was Denver's 40th goal in the final five minutes of a match in its Division I history.
- The goal was the latest Denver tally since Jacob Stensson's goal to make it 2-0 in the 2019 Summit League Semifinal vs. Oral Roberts.
- The goal was the latest Denver game-winner since Kortne Ford's game-winner in the 2016 NCAA Quarterfinal win at Clemson (88:38).
- With the win on Sunday, Jamie Franks moved into a tie with Chad Ashton for second in wins (85-30-18) in Denver Men's Soccer history (Franks has the most Division I wins in program history).
- Sam Bassett's opener on Sunday came in the 24th minute, the same minute Kengo Ohira scored the game-winner last season at GCU in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
- Denver's defense held Grand Canyon to just three shots and only one on target, bringing the weekend total to just two shots on target allowed.
- The match featured just 25 fouls but 12 yellow cards.
How it Happened:
Denver took a 1-0 lead when Sam Bassett notched his second goal of the season from outside the box in the 24th minute, assisted by Ian Smith.
The Antelopes leveled the game on a goal from Shaun-Chris Joash in the 34th minute, assisted by Jibril Rodet.
At the intermission, Denver had a 5-1 edge in shots on target and a 6-0 edge in corners, but four saves from Anthony Munoz kept things level at 1-1 heading into the intermission.
Denver then went on top 2-1 on Smith's 86th-minute goal, his second of the season. Stefan Deleone assisted the goal. Smith was involved in four of Denver's five goals this weekend.
WHAT'S NEXT:
Denver will continue its five match road swing with a weekend trip out east, beginning Friday with a trip to [20/20] Maryland. Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m. MT.
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.
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This article created using technology provided by Data Skrive.
