CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The [RV/-] University of Denver men's soccer program gave up a pair of early second half goals, and was able to pull only one back in a 2-1 loss at [9/3] Virginia on Sunday afternoon at Klöckner Stadium.
Notes:
- Ian Welch scored his third goal of the season and the fifth of his Pioneer career.
- Freshman Erik Collins earned his second assist in the last three matches.
- Denver's defense blocked five Virginia shots on Sunday afternoon.
- The Pioneers fell to No. 21 in the RPI following Sunday's match.
First Half:
14' The first shot of the afternoon came after Jake Smith was whistled for a foul 25 yards out, but Albin Gashi's free kick was well over Isaac Nehme's crossbar and in behind for a goal kick.
38' Virginia's bet chance of the opening 40 minutes came down the right side of the box when Stephen Hurlock made a well-timed run, but his attempt on goal was also over the bar.
40' The first shot on goal of the match came from the foot of Hurlock on a low-angled shot from the right. Nehme dove low to his left to make the save, and a Virginia foul cleared the danger.
41' Denver responded to Virginia's best bit of play with its best attacking threat late in the first half. Erik Collins and Kyle McGowan combined in the midfield, getting Collins in behind. The cross was to the run of Keegan Kelly, but Kelly wasn't able to get on the end of it, and it was sent in behind for a corner. On the ensuing corner, Will King had the ball fall to his feet, and he struck it hard and low past the keeper, but it was cleared off the line by a Virginia defender and the Cavaliers keeper jumped on top of the rebound.
Second Half:
48' Nehme made his first save of the second half and his third of the match, kicking wide a shot from Reese Miller, and out in behind for a corner.
54' Virginia struck first on a header from Umberto Pela to take its lead before the hour mark in the first half. Bacary Tandjigora played the cross from the left channel to provide the helper.
57' Reese Miller quickly doubled UVA's advantage on a feed from Pela and Nick Dang.
59' Ian Welch provided a response for the Pioneers as he tapped in a wide-open rebound off an initial shot from Collins to bring the Pioneers back within a goal.
84' Kelly had a shot blocked and then later in the sequence got a second crack at it, but missed it high and to the right of the Virginia goal.
90' Denver had a pair of shots in the final minute in search of the equalizer, but Aidan Semelsberger's shot missed out to the left and Luke Schultz had his shot to the lower left corner saved by the Cavs keeper.
Up Next
Denver will close out the regular season with three-consecutive Summit League tilts, beginning with a trip to Omaha on Saturday. The match is set to kick at 1:30 p.m. MT, and will be streamed live on the Summit League Network.
Ticket Information:
Tickets are on sale now for the 2025 Denver men's soccer season. Purchase tickets for the rest of the 2025 campaign here.
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