DENVER – The [6/1] University of Denver men's soccer program got three goals from three different players to earn all three points in a 3-2 win over Oral Roberts on Wednesday night in the Pios' Summit League opener at the University of Denver Soccer Stadium.
Scoring Summary
[6] Denver: Wynne 7' (Willoughby, Ian Smith), Wright 51' (Belloli, Ian Smith), Ofunrein 80' (Bassett, Ben Smith)
Oral Roberts: Morgan 74' (Harris), Flores 82'
Key Notes:
- Denver improved to 6-0-4 this season overall, and 5-0-4 against teams that finished last year in the top-100 of the RPI.
- The Pioneers ran their record at the University of Denver Soccer Stadium to 101-21-19 all-time, including 66-8-10 under Jack and Sheila Weinberg Head Men's Soccer Coach Jamie Franks.
- DU is 137-10-18 when scoring first since Franks arrival to the Mile High City in 2012, including 5-0-1 this season.
- Ronan Wynne's goal was his first of the season and the third of his career.
- Trevor Wright's goal to double Denver's advantage early in the second half was his first of the season and the third of his career.
- Oje Ofunrein's goal, which served as the game-winner, was his fourth goal of the season and the 17th goal of his career.
- Ofunrein's 17th career goal moved him into a tie with Nick Hartman and Zach Bolden for seventh on Denver's Division I list.
- Ofunrein now has 37 career points to move into a tie with Brian Hoyt for 14th on Denver's Division I list.
- Ofunrein's game-winner was the sixth of his career, moving him into a tie for seventh on Denver's DI career list.
- Bryce Willoughby earned the primary assist on Wynne's opening tally, his second assist of the season and the third of his career.
- Ian Smith served the corner kick and earned a secondary assist on Wynne's opener, his fourth assist of the season and the 15th of his Pioneer career.
- Smith also assisted on the second goal for his 16th career assist, moving him into a tie for seventh on Denver's DI career assists list.
- Jason Belloli earned the primary assist on Wright's goal, his first assist of the season and the third of his career.
- Sam Bassett earned the primary assist on Ofunrein's game-winner, his sixth assist of the season and the 19th of his career.
- Bassett's assist was his 59th career point, moving him into solo third on Denver's Division I points list.
- Bassett's 19th career assist moved him into solo third on that list as well, three behind record holder Zach Bolden.
- Ben Smith earned the secondary assist on Ofunrein's winner, his second assist of the season and the sixth of his career.
First Half:
7' The fifth in a barrage of corners in the opening minutes saw the Pioneers strike first. Ian Smith played his corner kick service into the middle of the box to the head of Bryce Willoughby. Willoughby headed it to the top of the six-yard box to Wynne who pinballed his shot off a defender off the underside of the crossbar and into back of the net.
28' Sam Bassett took Denver's seventh shot of the evening from the top of the box, but his shot sailed high and wide of the far post.
31' Luke Shultz made his collegiate debut, coming on for Bassett.
Second Half:
51' Trevor Wright doubled Denver's lead on the first real chance after halftime. Ian Smith was once again on top of the ball to play the restart. Jason Belloli was the first to the service on the top of the box, flicking it in the direction of the far post. Wright got his foot on the ball from Belloli to elevate it into the top corner of the goal and make it 2-0 Pioneers.
57' Oral Roberts first two shots of the game came just shy of the hour mark, but Denver's defenders were in the correct position to put their body in-front of the attempts and away from Isaac Nehme's goal.
58' Ian Welch had Denver's first look at a Pioneer third, but his attempt from the top of the box was wide of the near post.
69' Ben Smith played a beautiful switch ball to Ian Smith to setup Denver's next opportunity. Smith headed it down to the path of Bryce Willoughby, but Willoughby couldn't redirect his attempt past the keeper.
74' Oral Roberts pulled one back with just shy of a quarter hour to play. Isaac Nemhe punched a corner out to the top of the box that found its way back in the middle of the box. Damani Harris laid it off to Benjamin Morgan who fired it into the center of the net from just right of the penalty spot to make it a 2-1 game.
80' Oje Ofunrein restored Denver's two goal advantage with just over 10 minutes to go. Ben Smith and Bassett connected in the center of the park before getting the ball to Ofunrein. Ofunrein fired from outside the box into the top corner to make Denver's lead 3-1.
82' A sliding Denver clearance fell to the feet of Luis Flores at the top of the box. Flores smashed it past Nehme to pull the visitors back to within one for a second time.
UP NEXT:
The Pioneers will close out their five-match homestand on Saturday afternoon when Denver welcomes St. Thomas to the University of Denver Soccer Stadium. Opening kickoff is set for 1 p.m. MT, and the match will be streamed live on the Summit League Network.
TICKET INFORMATION:
Tickets for the 2024 season are on sale now and can be purchased here.
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