University of Denver
1-6-1, 0-0-0
Creighton
8-0-2, 1-0-0
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Creighton | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Denver | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Denver Drops Non-Conference Finale to [7/20] Creighton
9/22/2026 8:39:00 PM | Men's Soccer
The Pioneers will open West Coast Conference play on Saturday at No. 19 San Diego
DENVER – The University of Denver men's soccer program fell to [7/20] Creighton 1-0 on Tuesday night at the University of Denver Soccer Stadium. Tuesday night's match was Denver's final game of a non-conference slate that ends the day ranked third in the country.
Denver outshot the visitors 16-6, including 8-3 on target, but a second-half wide free kick from Ayden Kokoszka provided the difference for Creighton.Â
How it Happened:
5' Dominic Kallay got the first attempt at goal, running onto the ball at the top of the box before getting it on his right foot and firing it at the hip of the Creighton goalkeeper.
6' Creighton fired right back on Denver's target when Allan Juarez uncorked a shot from the top of the box, hitting it hard and low and having it take a deflection before Alex Hohl hit it with his hand over his crossbar and out for a corner.
11' Denver's Kyle McGowan looked to pick out the far corner with an attempt from outside the 18, but the keeper tapped it outside the post for a corner.
21' The Pioneers continued to take the game to the Blue Jays looking for the opener. Erik Collins played an early ball in from the right flank to the darting run in the middle of the box of Bryce Willoughby. The cross was just in-front of the run and out in behind for a goal kick.
43' Collins continued to be dangerous down the Denver right, earning the Pioneers another corner late in the opening 45. Denver couldn't score on the set piece, and the teams went into the locker room scoreless at the break.
47' Denver picked up where it left off at the end of the first half as Ethan Orchard turned Creighton over in the press, and after a bit of combination play in the center of the park, Ian Welch got his shot off from a low angle, and it was saved comfortably by Matthew Hudson.
57' The Pioneers continued to mount pressure in the Creighton penalty area. Welch had his second attempt in his first 15 minutes of action on the night, but his shot was blocked. After the ball cycled around to the Denver right, Orchard got two attempts on the target but both were saved by the Creighton netminder.
60' Anthony Masino looked to pick out the top corner, but Hudson was once again up to the task with his seventh save in the opening hour.
68' Creighton opened the scoring against the run of play, from a free kick just inside the left touch line. The set piece from Ayden Kokoszka was played to the back post and beat Alex Hohl to the top corner to give the visitors the lead.
84' Denver's best chance at an equalizer bounced up to the shin of Collins which took his shot over the crossbar.
90' Collins setup a chance for Willoughby in the final minute, but his header was wide of the near post and in behind for a goal kick.
UP NEXT:
Denver will open its first season in the West Coast Conference on Saturday with a trip to No. 19 San Diego. Opening kickoff is set for 5 p.m. PT/6 p.m. MT, and the match will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
TICKETS:
Tickets for the remainder of Denver's 2026 home matches are on sale now and can be purchased here.
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Players Mentioned
Team Stats
Ayden Kokoszka (5)
GOAL by CRE Kokoszka, Ayden.
67:34
