DU’s men’s and women’s soccer programs clinched their respective Summit League Titles over the weekend. The women’s team emerged victorious over the University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO) Mavericks, while the men’s team tied.
The No. 3 ranked men’s team drew 0-0 respectively in extended time against conference rival UNO on Oct. 29. Saturday’s draw extended Denver’s regular season unbeaten streak to 34 games.
Redshirt sophomore Nick Gardner (Marvin, North Carolina) was absent in net after suffering an undisclosed injury. Redshirt junior James Bannon-Schneebeck (Albuquerque, New Mexico) replaced Gardner for the match. Denver (14-0-3) and UNO (8-4-3) each fired five shots on goal and two corner kicks during the opening half.
The Mavericks picked up the intensity during the second half, holding a 6-2 edge in shots over the Pioneers. Junior centerback Kortne Ford (Greeley, Colorado) and junior midfielder Graham Smith (Highlands Ranch, Colorado) crafted both of DU’s chances during the 54th and 74th minutes.
For the fourth time in the 2015-16 season, the game required extra time for the Pioneers. With ten additional minutes on the clock, sophomore forward Andre Shinyashiki (Sao Paulo, Brazil) sent a promising shot on frame. UNO’s goalie Joseph Ghitis came up with a stellar save to keep the match tied.
The Mavericks’ men’s team will have to defeat Oral Roberts University on Nov. 5 in order to officially split the Summit League title with the Pioneers.
The women’s team soundly defeated UNO 2-0 at CIBER Field on Oct. 30. During the first minute of play, freshman forward Hannah Adler (Oak Park, California) converted off of a pass from junior forward Angelica Pacheco (Taos, New Mexico). Adler was called offsides on the play and the goal was taken back.
Nine minutes later, sophomore forward Leah Swander (Grand Junction, Colorado) sent a strike off a feed from Pacheco over UNO’s keeper to deliver the Pioneers’ first goal.
Following halftime, Adler converted in the 53rd minute to double Denver’s lead 2-0. Denver maintained its 2-0 lead to earn its first Summit League regular season title since 2013.
DU men’s soccer will host the University of Portland at CIBER Field on Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. The following week, Denver hosts the Summit League Men’s Soccer Championships on Nov. 10 and Nov. 12.
The women’s program will travel to North Dakota State with the No. 2 seed to compete against South Dakota State in the Summit League Women’s Soccer Championships on Nov. 3.
