Photo by: Greg Lau
The men’s soccer team was scheduled to play San Jose State Sunday, but a snowstorm intervened. The San Jose Spartans have a record of 8-5-0 overall, with a 3-1-0 record in the MPSF conference (Mountain Pacific Sports Federation).
A win over the Spartans would have boosted DU’s momentum and would have ideally propelled the Pioneers to more wins. The Pioneers are currently 5-4-2 overall and 1-1-2 in conference. The San Jose game will be rescheduled.
DU’s game Friday was against the 2-9-2 overall and 1-2-1 MPSF Sacramento State Hornets. The game resulted in a tie, with both teams scoring a single goal each in the second period.
The Pioneers were the first to score in the second period. Colby Pearce, DU senior, passed the ball off to Kyle Christiensen, who was conveniently open right in front of the Hornet’s goal. Christianson landed the goal, putting DU in the lead 1-0.
Christianson ranks third for goals scored on the DU team. Leaving Christiensen open, directly in front of the goal is a defensive error. Fortunately, the Pioneers were able to seize that opportunity.
With only five minutes left in the game, starting goalkeeper Matt Bredehoft, left the game after having collided with one of the Hornets players. At this point in the game DU still held the lead at 1-0.
Teale Stone, who replaced Bredehoft, was able to help the Pioneers’ effort up until the very last minute. With less than one minute left, Blake Nunes scored the tying goal, which led to two scoreless overtime periods to end the game at a tie, 1-1.
DU’s efforts were spoiled by a Hornet. A Hornet who scored twice, on a team that has scored 12 goals this season. He was set up by teammate Fernando Cabadas, who effectively crossed the ball, out of Stone’s reach, right to Nunes who then scored. It was out of Stone’s hands, literally.
Although, the Pioneers struggled in their loss to the Air Force la week ago, they were ready to turn their fortune around with a win against the Hornets. But, the Pioneers struggled some more.
“We’re disappointed with the results today,” said Head Coach Bobby Muuss about the tie on Friday against the Hornets.
“But we’ll bounce back and come out and play on Sunday,” anticipated Muuss.
Hopefully, the postponement of Sunday’s game won’t damage their spirits, and DU will be able to bounce back with vengeance.
