DENVER – The [14/14] University of Denver men's soccer team opens up its 2023 road slate on Friday night when the Pioneers head west to [11/9] Portland for an 8 p.m. MT/7 p.m. PT kickoff on ESPN+.
Last Time Out:
Oje Ofunrein's second game-winning goal in as many matches and a wonder-strike from Aidan O'Toole sent the Pioneers past Central Arkansas last Sunday afternoon at the University of Denver Soccer Stadium. With the result, the Pioneers completed their season-opening homestand at 4-0-2.
The Series:
Denver is 5-1-3 in the series, having not lost to the Pilots since a meeting in Washington in 2007. Last season's match ended 0-0 at the University of Denver Soccer Stadium, 13 months after O'Toole's 17th minute strike gave Denver the 2021 victory in Oregon. Denver outshot Portland 12-5 in the Mile High City a year ago.
The Franks Foundation:
Jack and Sheila Weinberg Head Men's Soccer Coach Jamie Franks is 101-33-25 as a head coach at Denver, 136-50-33 in his 12 years overall with the Pioneers and 235-77-50 in his time as a player and a coach in college soccer. Franks became the second coach in program history to reach 100 career wins on Friday night, doing so in 158 career matches.
Top-10 Program in Franks' Tenure:
Since Franks took over at the start of the 2015 season, the Pioneers have 100 wins, sitting 10th in the country in that category heading into this weekend's matches. Of the 12 teams in the country that started the year with at least 95 wins, Denver has the fifth-fewest losses at 33.
Pios vs. Ranked Opponents:
Denver is 23-41-15 in its Division I history against teams in the United Soccer Coaches Top-25, including 11-22-9 on the road. Under Franks, the Pioneers are 14-15-7, including 7-8-4 on the road.
Oje's Scoring Form:
Junior forward Oje Ofunrein entered the week leading the country in goals with seven in the opening six matches. Ofunrein is also first in the country in points (14) and game-winning goals (4).
Up Next:
Denver will stay in the Pacific Northwest over the weekend to take on Seattle on Monday at 8 p.m. MT on ESPN+.
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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