Although the Pioneer men’s soccer team hasn’t been off to the greatest start, three of the team’s freshmen have been showing off their talent.
Of the team’s 10 freshmen, the Texas natives – Alex DeCosta, Sam Garza and Jarod Stigall have netted three of DU’s 10 goals, leading Denver to a 4-1 victory against Cal State Fullerton on Sept. 14.
“Alex, Sam and Jarod have made large contributions to this year’s team,” head coach Bobby Muuss said. “We win and lose as a team, and the freshmen are a very big part of this year’s group.”
DeCosta sent in a goal five yards from the net, assisted by senior forward Kyle Christensen in the first half as he shot the ball into the box to Garza, who crossed it with DeCosta.
Garza netted his first career goal less than 10 minutes before the end of the first half. His goal was unassisted, by rebounding his initial shot and burying the ball behind the goalkeeper.
Stigall kept the freshman momentum soaring high as he recorded the Pioneers’ fourth and final goal. He was assisted by senior midfielder Joey Mathot near the start of the second half.
Garza, DeCosta and Stigall were all ranked by Topdrawersoccer.com’s “Class of 2008 Top Players to Watch.”
Garza, a Highland Village, Texas native was named a 2007 NSCAA HS All-American. Garza played for Marcus High School, which was ranked No. 1 in the nation in 2007, and he was also a member of club teams, the Solar SC and the Dallas Comets.
“I could have gone to many other universities, but DU felt right. I wanted to help the soccer team achieve a great NCAA Division I reputation,” Garza said.
“Right now, the season is very difficult, being 2-4. We are a young team, but I believe we will bounce back and I know that we can win the conference this year and then hopefully make the NCAA tournament for the first time,” Garza said.
DeCosta, from Dallas, Texas, was named 2006 NSCAA All-American as a member of his high school team and played his entire club career with the Solar SC, too.
Jarod Stigall, of Plano, Texas, earned first team all-district and first team all-district midfielder while playing for his high school. He also played for the Dallas Texans and the Solar SC club teams.
“I chose DU because it is a beautiful place, I received a great scholarship and the program is going to be incredible in the future,” Stigall said.
“The entire freshman class comes from very competitive club teams, and, most importantly, they are all winners. I can’t comment on previous freshman classes but this one comes to DU with a very good pedigree,” Muuss said.
Despite the freshman momentum earlier this season, the Pioneers fell to Saint Louis University this weekend, bringing their record to 2-4-0.
“We are 2-4 right now, but we are playing extremely well,” Stigall said. “We lost to SLU who are ranked No. 7 in the country right now and lost to them with two minutes left to play, so we are going to peak at the right time, and it is going to be amazing to be a part of it.”
“I think we have a great foundation for great things to come in future years,” Muuss said.
The Pioneers traveled to St. Louis on Saturday night, where the Billikens defeated Denver 1-0, netting the only goal with a mere 2:27 left in the game, ending Denver’s two-game winning streak.
Denver will take on Creighton on Saturday in Omaha, Neb., before they return home to face New Mexico on Oct. 3.
