The DU men’s soccer team split two tough opponents over the weekend, collecting a victory on the last game of its home stand.

On Friday night,  the Pioneers’ effort came up short after they fell 2-3 to No. 5-ranked New Mexico. The Pioneers took a 2-1 lead in minute 51 when freshman forward Christian Volesky scored on an assist from sophomore midfielder Zach Bolden. However, the lead was short-lived, and the Lobos responded with two late goals to drop the Pioneers’ overall record to 2-5-3.

“I don’t think the team deserves to be 2-5-3, but the schedule obviously has been very difficult,” said head coach Bobby Muuss. “We just have to find ways to win games.”

The Pioneers did just that on Sunday, finding redemption in a 3-1 win over UNLV,  improving their overall record to 3-5-3 .

The Rebels jumped out to an early 1-0 lead, but the Pioneers responded quickly. All three of the goals came within the first 45 minutes, thanks to the play of senior midfielder Jarod Stigall and junior forward Alex Tarnoczi, who each contributed with a goal and an assist.

A header from sophomore midfielder Blair Jeralds in minute 33 broke the 1-1 tie, giving the Pioneers the lead they never surrendered. The defense was much improved, as freshman goalkeeper Oliver Brown returned to the goal after serving a seven-game absence due to an injury he suffered mid-September. After giving up the early goal, Brown and the rest of the defense shut down the offensive attack of the Rebels, holding them scoreless the rest of the afternoon.

“I thought we came out okay. I thought it was a fair result,” said Muuss. “I didn’t like the way we managed the game, but I’m extremely excited to get the win.

The Pioneers will travel to Albuquerque on Friday for a rematch with New Mexico before traveling to Las Vegas for another showdown with UNLV on Sunday.