#15 Denver men’s soccer rode a pair of assists in each half from Sam Bassett and goals from freshman Keegan Kelly (24:48) and redshirt junior Ian Smith (53:22) to earn a Power Four road win. The Cal Golden Bears, now ACC members, responded with a late goal with seven minutes remaining – but it was too little, too late as the Pioneers owned the series opener for both squads, 2-1.
Denver outshot the home team 9 to 6 and was called for 6 fouls to 14 for Cal. The game ended with a yellow card on Nonso Adimabua as the frustrated Golden Bears dropped their home opener. DU also downed Cal in 2019, 1-0, at Edwards Stadium.
Not a bad @NCAASoccer debut for Keegan Kelly.#GoPios pic.twitter.com/jV6glrTS60
— Denver MSoccer (@DU_MSoccer) August 23, 2024
Ian Smith scores in a season opener for the second time in three years to double our lead.#GoPios pic.twitter.com/ycRoQAvx7K
— Denver MSoccer (@DU_MSoccer) August 23, 2024
The win, paired with yesterday’s 3-2 DU women’s soccer victory over Teas A&M, gives Denver soccer two Power Four wins on the week. Sunday the Pioneers play Stanford at Palo Alto to complete the second leg of their six-game road non-conference start to their season.
Top photo courtesy of DU Athletic Director Josh Berlo via Twitter
Dunker is aware of our potential. Looking long term: anything short of the sweet 16 will be a major disappointment. After that anything can happen. Can we make the final 4? Yes, but it takes some luck. A dozen other schools could make the same prognostication. However, we have our most depth ever, some true stars, experience, excellent coaching, and just maybe some new players will shine. Will be fun seeing how things shake out.
The Dunker Index, which is spot on every year, ranks us at #5. It would be higher, but since we are not in a Power 4 conference, the media will overate others. This will lead to unfair seeding come tournament time.
Fall is here woohoo! Go Pios!
Very good road win. Would love to see DU grind out another result at #5 Stanford on Sunday.