AMHERST, Mass. – The University of Denver men's soccer program fell to UMass 2-0 in a Summit League match on Saturday afternoon at Rudd Field.

Scoring Summary:
Denver: Collins 87'
UMass: Halldorsson 30' (Cence), Cence 86' 

Notes:
Denver outshot UMass 27-7, including 10-2 on target.
The Pioneers had a 9-2 edge in corner kicks.
Both teams had a red card in the second
Erik Collins scored the third goal of his freshman season late in the second half. 

First Half:
12' In nearly a replica of Jason Belloli's opener against UMass in the NCAA Quarterfinal last year, Denver played a corner kick to the back post to a run of a centerback, this time freshman Grant Lund, but Lund's header was wide of the far post, and out for a goal kick.
27' Tyler Schommer took a crack from a few yards outside the box, but his curling effort from the top-left of the box was wide of the far post.
28' The first UMass shot of the day came from Shane Velez whose momentum was taking him away from the goal, and he chipped it over the crossbar.
30' Matt Cence played a cross for the home side on the ground all the way across the field to the back post and Magnus Halldorsson was on the back post to complete a sliding finish.
31' Erik Collins chipped it past the keeper and had a look on an open net, but couldn't find his balance and his shot jumped up his shin and over the crossbar.
34' Holger Olsson made a clever play at the top of the box to setup his first shot since returning from injury, but he pushed it wide of the post and out in behind.
39' As Denver continued to push for the leveler, Collins got on the end of a corner at the penalty spot, but it was right at the keeper.
45' Aidan Semelsberger was the beneficiary of good combination play in the center of the box, but his shot was always rising over the bar.
Denver outshot UMass 9-2 in the opening 45 minutes.

Second Half:
46' Dylan Akau wasted no time getting Denver's first opportunity of the second half, but his shot couldn't get by the keeper.
54' UMass had a golden opportunity to double its advantage after a clearance off a corner fell to the feet of Ivan Vrh, but Vrh went for power, and pushed it wide of the far post.
59' Olsson had a shot from outside the box blocked in-front and out for a corner. Jake Smith had the ensuing corner fall to his feet, but Smith skied attempt.
69' John Paul Mbuthia was sent off for his second yellow after making a big collision with Isaac Nehme outside the box. Denver had a 15-5 shot advantage (4-1 on goal) before the sending off.
74' Collins took Denver's first shot on goal after the man-advantage, dribbling inside the area, but rolling his shot right at the keeper for the easy save.
81' Nehme was sent off for a tackle 35 yards out of his own net trying to break up a counter attack.
85' Luke Schultz hit a shot hard and low on frame, but it was pushed out wide by the keeper and out for a corner. On the corner, the ball fell to the feet of Trevor Wright, but Wright's shot was blocked in-front and hung around the line, but the Pioneers weren't able to clear the danger.
86' UMass had a 1-on-1 counter, and Matt Cence danced around a Denver defender and reserve keeper Gabe Schwartz before chipping it into the empty net to double its advantage.
87' Collins pulled one back for Denver in the final five minutes after a scrambling ball in the box fell to his feet and he punched it in.
88' Bryce Willoughby had an attempt at a level blocked in-front and then cleared off the line by a UMass defender before the home side cleared.
90' Denver had a final chance, but Smith's lofted ball into the area was claimed by the keeper.

Up Next:
Denver will head to the nation's capital on Tuesday for a nationally-televised game against Georgetown. The match will kickoff on ESPNU at 5 p.m. MT. 

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.

DENVER'S HOME FOR COLLEGE SPORTS

Visit DenverPioneers.com for complete coverage of all 18 of Denver's NCAA Division I sports.
Like Denver Pioneers and Denver Men's Soccer on Facebook
Follow @DU_Pioneers and @DU_MSoccer on Twitter
Follow @denverpioneers and @denversoccer on Instagram