DENVER – The [RV/18] University of Denver men's soccer team got its first win of the 2023 season, a 3-0 victory over Grand Canyon on Sunday afternoon at the University of Denver Soccer Stadium.
Significant Stats:
- Denver outshot Grand Canyon 6-3 in the opening 45 minutes, and held a 60-40 edge in possession.
- Oje Ofunrein's goal was Denver's first of the season and the third of Ofunrein's career. In his second career match and his first career start, Ian Welch recorded his first career point on the helper.
- Jamie Franks improved to 98-33-24 in his career, two wins from becoming the second head coach in program history to reach 100 career wins.
- Denver improved to 122-9-4 when scoring the first goal in a match since Franks joined the staff in 2012.
- Holger Olsson's goal was his first of the season and the seventh of his career.
- Sam Bassett's tally in the second half was his first of the season and the eighth of his career.
- Grand Canyon's first shot on goal came in the 81st minute, giving Denver 170 minutes to start the season without allowing a shot.
First Half:
1' Denver started brightly right off the opening kickoff, getting
Ian Welch in behind in his first collegiate start, but his curled attempt went over the bar and out for a goal kick.
3' Welch got in-behind again, but this time is shot was low, on target, and saved by the keeper.
11' Welch took Denver's third attempt as well, but it was once again saved comfortably as Denver kept the pressure on the visiting Lopes.
33' Welch setup the opening goal for the Pios 2023 season, crossing it from the right flank to the run of Ofunrein who sent it back inside the post it came for his third career goal.
Second Half:
57' Denver combined down the right to setup the second goal of the afternoon for the Pioneers. Tyler Schommer got his toe on the ball to extend it to Bassett who back-heeled it perfectly to the run of Olsson for the contested finish inside eight yards from goal. The point for Schommer was the first of his career.
63' Bassett made it three himself with a volley off a right-flank cross from Aidan O'Toole. O'Toole's assist was his first of the season and the eighth of his career.
81' Grand Canyon's first shot on target came from 27 yards out, but Isaac Nehme was able to dive to his left to push it outside the post.
Up Next:
Denver will continue its season opener six-match homestand on Friday when the Pioneers welcome nationally ranked SMU to the University of Denver Soccer Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. MT.
Tickets:
Season and single game tickets for Denver men's and women's soccer are on-sale now and can be purchased here.
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