A goal by Denver’s Kengo Ohira was all Denver needed to advance to the second round of the men’s NCAA Soccer Tournament with a 1-0 victory. Denver (10-3-5) advances to face Clemson on Sunday, November 21st in Clemson, S.C. at 5:00 pm MT.
At 23:43 of the first half, Ohira sent a line drive from the top of the box into the Antelope goal. Denver’s goalie Will Desantis shut out the Lopes the rest of the way.
HAVE A HIT KENGO!!!
Pios in-front.#PioneerTogether pic.twitter.com/kiuXndXGgn— Denver MSoccer (@DU_MSoccer) November 19, 2021
GCU had 14 shots, 4 shots-on-goal and 16 fouls. DU had 10 shots, 4 shots-on-goal and 11 fouls in the match.
Denver will advance to play #8 Clemson on the road in a replay of their last NCAA tournament when the Pioneers advanced to the College Cup in 2016.
Photo: Courtesy of GCU AthleticsÂ
Clutch road NCAA performance by the Pios in a tough environment.
When DU plays 5 in the back, they are very hard to score on, but it also means DU needs to capitalize on fewer chances at the other end, which they did. Ohira’s goal was a masterpiece of dribble against a top class defender, finding an open space, quick release and high shot speed (that ball was drilled) and expert placement under the bar.
Eighth-ranked Clemson is a tough out, and they won’t be fooled by the Pios after what DU did there in 2016. But the Pios mat be a little tired after flying across the country on just two days rest, but at this point, DU is playing with house money.
Play good defense and make sure to make your shots count, cause there won’t be many of them.