#2-seed Denver (13-2-5, 6-0-2) defeated #4 UMKC in the Summit League Tournament soccer final at Pioneer Field with a dominant 3-0 clean sheet. The Roos (7-5-5, 4-1-3) were coming off a tiring overtime win against top-seeded Oral Roberts and Denver used ball pressure and their deep bench to wear down the Roos Saturday afternoon.
Liam Johnson got DU on the board five minutes before halftime on the back end of a corner kick in traffic with an assist from Lucas Fisher. Denver dominated in the opening half, outshooting the visitors 12-0 with four on goal. Denver’s ball pressure forced Kansas City into numerous turnovers but the Pioneers missed several opportunities to add to their first-half tally.
The goal that put the Pios in-front at the interval.#GoPios https://t.co/WgQsTKdOQ5 pic.twitter.com/d48g2FfZkp
— Denver MSoccer (@DU_MSoccer) November 12, 2022
The second half was more of the same but UMKC was able to gain more ball possession early in the period. Denver took control for good at 73:33 when Griffin Meyer headed in a beautiful goal in transition, assisted by Ian Smith. Meyer finished off the game when he received a long pass over the top from Trevor Wright to beat keeper Cooper Clark.
Second goal in three matches for the senior.#GoPios https://t.co/bs602GMemX pic.twitter.com/EUOxfWuoPf
— Denver MSoccer (@DU_MSoccer) November 12, 2022
MEYER NETS HIS BRACE!
Trevor Wright hits Meyer in stride from his own penalty area for the Denver third.#GoPios pic.twitter.com/O1ORhF26lw— Denver MSoccer (@DU_MSoccer) November 12, 2022
#9/#7 Denver awaits their first-round NCAA Tournament game in the College Cup. The only question now remains whether they will host a first-round matchup or get a bye into the Round of 16 where they would host a second-round game. The 2022 NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Championship bracket will be announced Monday, November 14th at 1:00 pm ET on NCAA.com.
Top photo courtesy of Denver Athletics
Committee should be impressed how we won or tied games that really mattered thinks Dunker