DENVER – The [-/RV] University of Denver men's soccer team used four first-half goals on its way to a 5-0 victory over St. Thomas on Saturday night at the University of Denver Soccer Stadium, giving DU its fourth-consecutive shutout.
Significant Stats:
Holger Olsson's first-half goal at the 4:20 mark was the 20th-fastest in DU's Division I history.
DU twice had goals less than five minutes apart: Olsson's and Aidan O'Toole's were 4:29 apart while the UST own goal was just 2:59 after O'Toole's goal – tied for the 35th-fastest consecutive goals in program history.
Two Pioneers netted their first career goals: Kyle McGowan and Dylan Akau.
For the second match in a row, Olsson had the game winner for Denver and is now tied with Sam Bassett for DU's second-most this year.
Olsson's three points on the night were his most since a five-point showing at Lindenwood on November 2, 2022.
DU's five goals, 17 shots and 10 shots on target were all new season highs.
For the third time this season, Denver held its opponent without a shot on target.
DU held St. Thomas without a first-half shot or corner kick.
Denver held UST to just three shots in the match, equaling its fewest allowed to an opponent this year (also at Western Illinois on October 14).
Isaac Nehme collected his ninth cleansheet of the season, moving him into a tie for the fourth-most in a single season in DU's DI history. The sophomore remains third in the Denver record book for career shutouts (19).
O'Toole played in the 82 match of his career, giving him sole possession of fifth-most in DU's Division I history. He also broke a five-way tie for DU's fourth-most career starts and now stands alone with 75.
Charlie Matsumoto made her collegiate debut, entering the game for the final eight minutes.
Jack and Sheila Weinberg Head Men's Soccer Coach Jamie Franks:
"Tonight was more about us and proving that when we have 90 minutes to play, that we're going to play a fighting-football brand that's featured on every play. I thought we'd been missing that a little bit this season. We've had it for spurts, but we haven't had it for 90 minutes, so that was the main focus."
First Half:
5' Olsson collected a rebound off a UST save from just inside the 18-yard box, striking the ball into the upper right corner of the net.
9' Olsson again found the ball at his feet inside the penalty area and tapped it back to an awaiting O'Toole at the edge of the box, who pitched it toward the upper right corner and banked it off the underside of the crossbar.
12' After the initial chance off DU's first corner of the night, Olsson sent a shallow cross across the box where a UST defender's clear attempt bounced backward and past his keeper.
45' As the clock entered the final minute of the first half, McGowan juggled around a UST defender and arched the ball into the narrow opening between the keeper and the right goal post.
Second Half:
61' Ian Smith perfectly timed a header from the right side of the box, but the UST keeper punched it clear to the right.
62' Akau beat the UST defense near midfield and carried the ball into the box. The keeper stopped the initial shot but watched the rebound trickle across the goal line.
79' In a similar play to Akau's, Tyler Schommer approached the net down the right side of the pitch but sent his shot toward the center of the net from about 10 yards back where the UST made the save.
85' Off a rebound from what would be the seventh DU corner kick of the night, Ruaridh Fraser tried to beat the UST keeper at the right post from a tricky angle, but the keeper timed his approach to get to the ball just in time.
Up Next:
Denver will travel to Oral Roberts for a showdown of the Summit League's top two teams on Saturday, October 28, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. CT/6 p.m. MT.
Tickets:
Single game tickets for Denver men's and women's soccer are on-sale now and can be purchased here.
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