We start this week’s recap with a quiz:

Question: When did DU men’s soccer lose their last regular season game?

Answer: Halloween 2014 (@IUPUI, Indianapolis 1-0 loss)

(Those of you with a powerful memory will recall that this is the same day the tiny town of Vendargues in southern France banned clown costumes on its streets for Halloween. Mayor Pierre Dudieuzere imposed the rule after a rash of incidents across France in which people dressed as clowns scared children in the streets, and in several cases attacked passersby.)

Look up in the sky – its a bird, its a plane…

No-it is DU’s undefeated super-men’s soccer team that returned to CIBER Field for their home opener Friday night. They dismantled UC-Riverside 4-1. Kenny Akamatsu and Blake Elder each got their first goals of the season. Then, on Sunday evening the Pioneers eased by a chippy over-matched Bryant team to move to 5-0-1.

Next up: St Louis University on Thursday at  7:00 at CIBER Field.

Women Upset & Upset

After stunning undefeated Arizona State in Tempe earlier in the week 3-1 and besting Northern Colorado 1-0 at home, DU women strode confidently into CIBER field Sunday afternoon to try and improve their streak against Hawaii. They fell 2-0 as Hawaii scored two second half goals and the Pioneers could not find the back of the net – again. That makes 0 goals scored in all five losses (3-5) – a trend that must improve. Still, two out of three is progress.

Next Up: 12:00 @ Boulder against Colorado Saturday, September 17th

Volleyball Rebounds from Mid-Week Speed Bump

Losing to Northern Colorado (3-1) was surely a huge disappointment earlier in the week in Greeley. But, a great lesson that road wins are no guarantee – especially when conference play begins. Then, not unexpectedly, the Pioneers offered resistance to 8th ranked Florida but fell (3-0) at the Blackbird Invitational in Brooklyn, NY to move to 4-4 on the season. But DU’s veteran squad was resilient and reeled off wins against a pair of initial schools – LIU Brooklyn (3-0) and NJIT (3-0) to settle at 6-4.  Kayla Principato and Nola Basey made the All-Tournament team with Ruth Okoye and Cassidy Rooke chipping in with solid matches.

Next Up: Southern Utah on Friday, September 16th at 7:00 at CIBER Field