Denver Men’s Soccer (0-0-1)opened their 2023 campaign at Pioneer Field against San Diego State University. While DU carried play for most of the match, the Pioneers failed to convert on several opportunities to score and came away with a draw on the night, 0-0.

In the first half, both teams struggled to find an offensive rhythm over the first 30 minutes. Denver opened up the game in the final 15 minutes of the half with superior ball control, creating several excellent scoring chances but failed to take the lead. The clubs entered the break knotted 0-0. DU outshot the Aztecs 5-2 in the frame.

Denver carried the first-half momentum into the second half. At 55:55, Sam Bassett missed a point-blank header high on one of DU’s best chances on the night. SDSU’s Ulises Esquivel was issued a red card ejection for arguing an offsides call at 66:49 and Denver went a man up. However, Denver struggled to put together solid opportunities on the offensive end over the next twenty-plus minutes, even with the man advantage. While DU carried play on the night, the match ended 0-0.

Denver held a 9-5 shot advantage but the overall quality on the offensive end was not good enough for DU to earn the win.

This game marked the start of a six-match home stand. The Pioneers take to Pioneer Field Sunday at 1:00 pm MT against Grand Canyon. Prior to Thursday night’s match, Denver Men’s Soccer received votes in the national preseason Top 20 polls (United Coaches & NCAA) but finished outside the top 20.

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Denver Women’s Soccer (0-0-3) had a blank scoring sheet Thursday night with a 0-0 tie against Marquette at the Milwaukee Challenge Cup. That followed a 2-2 tie in Colorado Springs Sunday and an opening 1-1 draw against Colorado State University.