PORTLAND – The University of Denver men's soccer team pulled two goals back from a 3-0 deficit in the final 5:10, but No. 4/10 Portland hung on for a 3-2 win on Friday night at Merlo Field.
Scoring Summary:
Denver: McGowan 85' (Keller, Schultz), Collins 90' (Wright, Semelsberger)
[4] Portland: Aror 9', Highfield 27' (Rosas), Ajagbe 55' (Martinez, Mendoza)
Notes:
- Denver's Kyle McGowan scored for the third-match in a row with his sixth career goal on Friday night.
- McGowan is the first Denver player to score in three-consecutive matches since teammate Holger Olsson scored in three matches in a row in November, 2022
- Freshman Erik Collins became the second Pioneer to score multiple goals this season, heading home his second of his rookie campaign.
- Collin Keller earned the primary assist on the McGowan goal, the first point of his collegiate career.
- Luke Schultz earned the secondary assist on the McGowan tally with his second of the season and of his career.
- Trevor Wright earned the primary assist on Collins' goal in the 90th minute, his second helper of the season and the sixth of his five-year career.
- Aidan Semelsberger was credited with the secondary assist on the Collins goal, his second assist of the season and of his career.
First Half:
4' Portland had the first warning shot of the match with a pair of efforts at Isaac Nehme's goal. Following a cross and a header back across to the top of the six-yard box, Efetobo Aror looked to head it into the top corner, but redshirt-freshman centerback Grant Lund cleared it off the line. The ball then fell to Christian Mendoza, who rattled the crossbar with his attempt, and the Pioneers were able to clear the early danger.
9' Portland took the lead from the top of the box. Lund cleared a dangerous cross that came as a result of a poor Denver back pass. The half clearance went to the top of the box and Aror made no mistake of his second clear chance of the opening 10 minutes, firing it to the bottom corner for the breakthrough.
13' Isaac Nehme made his first save of the night on a shot hard and low to his left to keep it a 1-0 game.
15' Aidan Semelsberger slid it in behind to the run down the right of Bryce Willoughby. Willoughby took a touch and then was chopped down by a late challenge from a Portland defender, but referee Brandon Gardner both didn't point to the spot and opted not to use video review so play continued. Denver's bench was cautioned while asking for the review. The NCAA's trial coaches challenge system isn't available until conference play for conferences opt-in.
22' Nehme made a jumping save on a strike from David Ajagbe inside the box, pushing it over the top of the crossbar for a corner.
27' Portland doubled its lead shy of the half-hour mark. Diego Rosas crossed it to the top of the six-yard box to the head of Joe Highfield, who flicked it by Nehme for the home side's second.
45' Denver's only shot recorded in the only 45 minutes came off the head of Tyler Schommer, but his header was well-wide of the post.
Second Half:
55' Portland added a third off a goal from David Ajagbe. Ajagbe skied to win a header off a cross from Angel Martinez.
67' Denver's first dangerous cross from out wide into the box came across the sliding effort of Willoughby, but he couldn't connect with the service.
68' Dylan Akau took the first shot of the half for the Pioneers, but he pulled his right-footed attempt wide of the near post.
70' After Kyle McGowan earned a corner with a blocked shot from the top of the box, Denver ran a set-piece play for Jake Smith, but Smith's shot was over the crossbar.
85' Denver scored the first goal that Portland has conceded in seven matches this season to cut the deficit to two in the final five minutes and change. Luke Schultz played a cross from the Denver left to the far post run of Collin Keller. Keller headed it back across the face of goal to McGowan, who was able to tap-in his third goal in as many matches.
90' Semelsberger and Wright combined 15-yards inside Denver's own half before Wright played a 30-yard ball just outside the penalty spot to the run of Erik Collins. Collins sent his glancing header inside the post and in for Denver's second of the night.
Up Next:
Denver will close out its Pacific Northwest road trip on Monday night when the Pioneers travel to Seattle. Opening kickoff is set for 8 p.m. MT on ESPN+. DU will then open Summit League play a week from Saturday at the University of Denver Soccer Stadium against Kansas City. Kickoff for Denver Men's Soccer Alumni Weekend is set for 7 p.m. MT 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.
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
