#1 DU men’s soccer (7-0-4) faces their biggest remaining regular season challenge tonight. DU faces fellow #1 (United Soccer Coaches Poll) Pitt at Ambrose Urbanic Field at 5 pm MT. Following a successful opening 6-game non-conference road trip against power programs, Denver has found themselves ranked #1 in the Top Drawer Coaches Poll for the past month. Pitt, meanwhile is currently #2 in the Top Drawer poll. Denver’s remaining relatively soft Summit League schedule will not help their national standing. Tonight is DU’s last best chance to cement their #1 status against a fellow top team in Pitt on the road.

Denver will face this key test on two days’ rest. A win or draw on the road would likely keep DU at the top of collegiate soccer. A loss would not be fatal but would move Denver out of the top spot in the TDS poll.

KEEP FLYING @DU_MSoccer !!! #ProudPios https://t.co/pfMEjQFxZL pic.twitter.com/qYNcjijTXR

— Josh Berlo (@DU_AthDir) September 23, 2024

The stingy Pitt defense holds opponents to just 0.60 goals per game while scoring 2.8 per. In their ten matches, the Panthers have outscored opponents 28-6, the largest goal differential in the nation. Senior forward Luis Sahmkow (8 goals) leads the scoring for the Panthers. Cabral Carter and Jack Moxom share goalkeeping duties for the Panthers.

Denver must rely on their top players to outplay Pitt’s top players. Denver has allowed 0.91 goals per game while scoring 2.18 and has outscored opponents 24-10. Sam Bassett leads Denver’s offense with 6 goals and 8 assists to factor into nearly 60% of the Pioneers’ scoring. Keeper Isaac Nehme and Denver’s defense must have one of their best games to exit Ambrose Urbanic Field as the #1 team in the nation.

Following tonight’s non-conference tilt against Pitt, DU resumes their Summit League campaign at UMKC on Saturday, 6 PM MT.