In a repeat of last year’s Summit League Men’s Finals, the Pioneers faced Omaha in the last match to determine who would take home both the Summit League title and an automatic berth to the NCAA Men’s Soccer Tournament. Unlike last year, which ended in an 11th round shoot-out that saw Denver sent home, the Pioneers beat Omaha in front of a large crowd of family, friends and supporters. With their win, the No. 9 Pioneers are guaranteed an automatic bid to the 2018 NCAA Tournament.

Omaha and Denver have met in the last three Summit League Finals with each final becoming more and more charged. Their meeting on Saturday afternoon was no different, with several players receiving warnings from the referees. From the beginning, it was clear that neither team would give much and it would be a high tension match.

Senior Kenny Akamatsu (Niigata, Japan) was the first and only Denver athlete to score. In the 15th minute, he intercepted an Omaha pass and crossed back to the center of the field, beating two Omaha defenders, curling in a shot from 20 yards out. This goal was his fourth goal of the season and the seventh of his career.

The Pioneers would receive their next best chance at the 27th minute when freshman Stefan DeLeone (Fort Collins, Colo.) beat several Omaha defenders. His shot rattled off the post, and a redirect from senior Andre Shinyashiki (Sao Paolo, Brazil) went high.

In the 30th minute, Akamatsu had another few chances to bring the score back up, but the Omaha goalie put up a series of spectacular stops to keep the score at 1-0 Pioneers.

The Pioneers would not see another opportunity until the second half when in the 53rd minute, DeLeone would see his shot stopped again by Omaha. Throughout the second half, Denver would continue to find opportunities but see them stopped by the keeper for Omaha.

The defense, led by redshirt-senior Scott DeVoss (Centennial, Colo.) helped redshirt-sophomore goalkeeper Will Palmquist (Denver) to a shut-out of the Omaha offense. Despite outshooting Denver 14-12, Omaha was unable to score behind an incredible performance from the defense.

Four Pioneers were honored with Summit League All-Tournament Team honors, including 2018 Summit League Tournament MVP, DeVoss. Sophomore Jacob Stensson (Stockholm, Sweden), Akamatsu and senior Moshe Perez (Shim’a, Israel) were all named to the All-Tournament Team.

DeVoss helped anchor the Denver defense to hold Omaha to a goalless game and prevented Omaha from reaching making a single shot on target. Akamatsu had Denver’s only goal in the final. Stensson assisted on Denver’s lone goal against Eastern Illinois and helped create several opportunities in the game against Omaha. Perez also assisted on Denver’s goal against Eastern Illinois and has been a force to be reckoned with in the mid-field.

“I am just really proud of my team, just the way that they have grown all season,” said Jamie Franks, Head Coach of the Pioneers. He continues, “The mission is to bring your best every day and that’s all we ask for of the kids.” Looking back on last years lost to Omaha, Franks said, “This is what should fuel us in the offseason and they didn’t best us, they tied and advanced on penalty kicks. For us, we just want to right the wrong and we did that today.”

Looking towards the NCAA tournament, Franks stated, “It is about getting better, tomorrow is an off day but they need to get better, watch film, take care of their bodies, etc. We never lose focus of that and we always try to play the next play. It’s just about growing and it’s more about us.”

“Every older guy comes in with a mission and that’s to leave the place in a better spot from when they found it, and for all of my seniors, they can proudly say that’s that what they have done. To be able to have the success we have on the field with the championships but then to be able to when the gold vest four of the past five years, have the top GPA for the past three years in the country, these kids are student-athletes and for me, it means everything because it is the result of all their hard work,” said Franks when reflecting on his senior class.

Denver learned its seeding for the NCAA Tournament on Monday, Nov. 12. They earn a bye in the first round and will host the winner of the Air Force and Central Arkansas on Sunday at 3 p.m., MST. Tickets will go on sale on Tuesday at 9 a.m., MST.