Photo courtesy butlersports.com
The undefeated 7th-ranked University of Denver men’s soccer team traveled to 9th-ranked Butler for a showdown at the Butler Bowl in Indianapolis, Indiana Monday night and emerged with a hard fought 1-0 win (as LetsGoDU predicted).
Both teams traded defensive punches in the first 45 minutes with Denver holding the sole shot-on-goal. Then, twenty minutes into the second half (65:49), Reagan Dunk sent a pass into the box from the right side and DU’s Blake Elder sent a sliding kick past the keeper to the left side of the goalkeeper. Denver held on with stout defense for the huge win.
Pioneers also extended their regular season unbeaten run to 30 matches on Monday night. #DU1NATION #BUTvDEN
— Denver MSoccer (@DU_MSoccer) October 11, 2016
In this tight, defensive game each squad had two shots on goal but Denver made the Bulldogs pay. The tightly contested match had lots of fouls (17 by Butler and 10 by Denver) and two yellow cards for the Pios (Graham Smith & captain Sam Hamilton) and the Bulldog’s Derek Sutton.
This was a statement victory for the Pioneers and resulted in a huge RPI-boost, which will come into play come Tournament selection time.
This DU men’s soccer win over Butler tonight is probably the second-largest overall win in DU soccer history, and likely the best regular season win in DU history, assuming that it’s DU’s first-ever win vs. a top-10 opponent. I would have to research that to confirm.
The biggest win in DU history is certainly the 1970 second-round NCAA victory over the San Jose State Spartans (2-1). DU advanced to the third round of the NCAA tournament that year, and lost to eventual NCAA runner-up UCLA, 3-1.
For DU to be ranked in the top 10 of this sport is a stunning, amazing achievement. There are 206 schools that play men’s soccer at the D-I level. For comparison, only 60 schools play D-I hockey and 69 play D-I lacrosse, and only about 30 sponsor skiing (in all divisions).
This DU men’s soccer win over Butler tonight is probably the second-largest overall win in DU soccer history, and likely the best regular season win in DU history, assuming that it’s DU’s first-ever win vs. a top-10 opponent. I would have to research that to confirm.
The biggest win in DU history is certainly the 1970 second-round NCAA victory over the San Jose State Spartans (2-1). DU advanced to the third round of the NCAA tournament that year, and lost to eventual NCAA runner-up UCLA, 3-1.
For DU to be ranked in the top 10 of this sport is a stunning, amazing achievement. There are 206 schools that play men’s soccer at the D-I level. For comparison, only 60 schools play D-I hockey and 69 play D-I lacrosse, and only about 30 sponsor skiing (in all divisions).
Awesome, great win over Butler. Certainly bodes well for the upcoming match up against New Mexico, that DU can maintain is excellence when the pressure is on against a top opponent.
NCAA rankings came out today. We are #5.
Awesome, great win over Butler. Certainly bodes well for the upcoming match up against New Mexico, that DU can maintain is excellence when the pressure is on against a top opponent.
NCAA rankings came out today. We are #5.
I’d say the men’s soccer team playing in the Summit League is hurting its RPI. As of today, Denver’s RPI is ranked 19th. 19th probably won’t get a first-round bye
The committee looks at more than just pure RPI when placing teams, especially with teams like DU, who cannot easily schedule as many top opponents as other programs can, due to the distance factor. DU has already beaten well-ranked Creighton and Butler, both on the road, proving they are a quite legitimate top 10 team. Assuming the Pios take care of business and don’t lose for the rest of the season, they will get a bye, no doubt about it. That said, they probably can’t slip up, either. DU hasn’t won an NCAA tournament game since 1970, so it’s high time they prove themselves when it counts.
I’d say the men’s soccer team playing in the Summit League is hurting its RPI. As of today, Denver’s RPI is ranked 19th. 19th probably won’t get a first-round bye
The committee looks at more than just pure RPI when placing teams, especially with teams like DU, who cannot easily schedule as many top opponents as other programs can, due to the distance factor. DU has already beaten well-ranked Creighton and Butler, both on the road, proving they are a quite legitimate top 10 team. Assuming the Pios take care of business and don’t lose for the rest of the season, they will get a bye, no doubt about it. That said, they probably can’t slip up, either. DU hasn’t won an NCAA tournament game since 1970, so it’s high time they prove themselves when it counts.