Andre Shinyashiki did it again. On a damp, cool evening at CIBER Field, Shinyashiki gave the Pioneers (10-0-2, 2-0-1 Summit) a 1-0 second half lead with his 20th goal of the season. Then, in the final minutes, as the Mastodons (6-5-1, 0-2-0 Summit) pressed for the equalizer, Shinyashiki converted his 21st goal on a counter-attack dagger.
The Pioneers controlled midfield the first half but could not create a successful scoring opportunity. However, ten minutes into the second half, Andre Shinyashiki scored after
Stefan DeLeone stole the ball from a Mastodon defender and sent a thru ball to Jacob Stensson and over to Shinyashiki for the left foot finish.
The Pioneers continued to press offensively until midway through the final period when Fort Wayne started to create scoring opportunities. The Pioneers fell back into their own defensive end as Fort Wayne pressed their players forward, controlled the ball and generated six corner kicks in the final 20 minutes.
But, with 2:11 to go, DU struck on the counter. DU’s Destan Norman sent a fast break pass to a streaking Andre Shinyashiki who send a shot off the keeper into the net – his 21st goal for the season. Shinyashiki now has 10 more goals than his closest NCAA scoring rival.
Shinyashiki 88' [5] Denver 2-0 Purdue Fort Wayne.
Andre Shinyashiki hits black jack with his 21st of the 2018 campaign to double the Pioneers lead. #PioneerTogether #DENvPFW pic.twitter.com/rvE4kZvvQN— Denver MSoccer (@DU_MSoccer) October 6, 2018
Denver could muster only 7 shots-on-goal for the game to 2 for the Mastodons. The story once again was Andre Shinyashiki scoring all Denver’s goals. Denver continues to play with fire when protecting 1-goal leads and pulling midfielders and backs deep into their own end but Franks has confidence in his defense. It has been six games with only one Pioneer player scoring (DeLeone) other than Andre Shinyashiki – and that must be a concern for Coach Franks and his staff as well.
Will Palmquist started in goal for the Pioneers for his second consecutive match and earned his second consecutive shutout win. Kenny Akamatsu did not play for Denver.
The Pioneers have a big non-conference match against Virginia on Monday, October 8th in Charlottesville, Virginia at 4:00 pm mountain time.
Stefan Deleone for DU scored to beat Creighton earlier this week but you have a good point. DU needs more scoring depth if they want to advance in playoff soccer.
I don’t like DU’s tendency to bunker with a lead. Just keep the ball in the other team’s half…
Denver seems to play back with the lead but it is tough to watch – especially when the other team earns some solid looks. But, to his credit, Jamie seems to win the tight games.
Stefan Deleone for DU scored to beat Creighton earlier this week but you have a good point. DU needs more scoring depth if they want to advance in playoff soccer.
I don’t like DU’s tendency to bunker with a lead. Just keep the ball in the other team’s half…
Denver seems to play back with the lead but it is tough to watch – especially when the other team earns some solid looks. But, to his credit, Jamie seems to win the tight games.
Pios got the job done and won a game that could easily have been a trap game, with big games lurking ahead on the schedule at places like Virginia, Maryland and Stanford.
What I like about the last couple of games (beside the wins) is that Will Palmquist is proving to be just as good as Nick Gardner as a shot stopper in goal. Having two capable goalies (assuming Gardner can play after his injury) will be helpful down the road, as the team should have confidence playing in front of either goalie.
Not sure why Akamatsu sat out last night’s game. Maybe Jamie was trying to send a message about red cards, or perhaps he was hurt. Either way, he’s an important player and I hope he comes back soon.
Now it’s off to face the best defense in the country, playing Virginia in Charlottesville on Monday. This is a very tough turnaround with an east bound cross country flight on two day’s rest after last night’s game. It will be outstanding if DU can get a result (win or draw) there. Go Pios!
Pios got the job done and won a game that could easily have been a trap game, with big games lurking ahead on the schedule at places like Virginia, Maryland and Stanford.
What I like about the last couple of games (beside the wins) is that Will Palmquist is proving to be just as good as Nick Gardner as a shot stopper in goal. Having two capable goalies (assuming Gardner can play after his injury) will be helpful down the road, as the team should have confidence playing in front of either goalie.
Not sure why Akamatsu sat out last night’s game. Maybe Jamie was trying to send a message about red cards, or perhaps he was hurt. Either way, he’s an important player and I hope he comes back soon.
Now it’s off to face the best defense in the country, playing Virginia in Charlottesville on Monday. This is a very tough turnaround with an east bound cross country flight on two day’s rest after last night’s game. It will be outstanding if DU can get a result (win or draw) there. Go Pios!