The men’s soccer team advanced their ranking in the Division One National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) poll following their 1-0 victory over Saint Louis University and their first home game of the month against Utah Valley University, where the Pioneers won 2-1 in extra time by way of a golden goal.
Denver, currently ranked 12th in the nation, is sitting at the highest national ranking in program history.
The team currently remains undefeated and continues their home-game winning streak from last season.
“We’re training as hard as we can and making sure we maintain the same standard at every single training session. It’s about focusing on one result at a time,” said junior midfielder, Sam Hamilton (Evergreen, CO).
Watching the team play, there is a visible amount of trust and confidence and cohesion between the players.
“We have a really good energy. It’s not something you can put into words, but it’s something you know when you see it,” Hamilton said.
The success from the tight-knit team stems from Denver’s knowledgeable coaching staff.
Head Coach, Jamie Franks, entered his fourth year with Denver and first year as head coach this season.
“We [the coaching staff] have been given a little bit more responsibility to our players where they hold each other accountable to the higher standards and expectations of the program,” said Franks.
Offering Denver’s coaching staff an alternative perspective is former midfield captain, Brian Hoyt, who now serves as the Pioneer’s volunteer assistant coach.
“He [Hoyt] understands being captain last year. Some of the mistakes that we made and is a good voice on the staff and a good liaison for the players, which is extremely helpful for me,” said Franks.
The Pioneers will enter this season’s league play as two-time back-to-back Summit League Champions, both regular season and tournament.
“I think we have to refocus. The first goal for us is to win the regular league championship and it’s my job to make sure the guys don’t look past every game,” said Franks.
Note: This article was finalized on Monday, Sept. 28 and does not take into account any events and/or games that have transpired since then.
