All it took was a six-and-a-half minute stretch in the first half for #3 DU (13-3-4) to take a commanding 3-0 lead. Ben Smith put Denver up 1-0 at 18:03. Five minutes later, Keegan Kelly took a feed from Sam Bassett to build a 2-0 lead. A little more then a minute after that, Sam Basset fed Trevor Wright to stack another goal on the visiting Runnin’ Bulldogs, 3-0. The Pioneers were perfect on all three shots they took in the first 45 minutes while Gardner-Webb never had a shot on frame.

The main question heading into the final 45 minutes was Denver’s willingness and commitment to play on their front foot – an issue during their past several home matches. They did not disappoint.

Denver maintained an attacking posture. Ten minutes into the second half, Bruce Willoughby nearly beat keeper Alan Horrocks in traffic but the score held steady. Five minutes later, DU’s Lukas Fisher pushed a sliding shot two feet wide of the Runnin’ Bulldog goal and the score remained 3-0. Gardner-Webb created several scoring opportunities but the Pioneers back line held up and kept the scoresheet clean. A Tyler Schommer middle run and near miss with twenty-four minutes left showed DU’s desire to push the pace of play. Denver continued to push the ball, giving the Runnin’ Bulldogs little chance to score in the final ten minutes. Denver’s defense remained stout, only allowing two shots on goal in the second half while generating eight shots on goal of their own. DU keeper Isaac Nehme finished with another clean sheet, his eighth of the season.

Aside from the obvious advancement into the third round, Denver played with aggression on their home field which was essential, especially with a match against #14 Indiana (11-4-1) next Saturday, November 30 with a kickoff set for 2 p.m. MT.. DU did not waste the second half falling back into their own defensive end. If DU wants to advance, this is the mindset they must maintain as they take another step towards the 2024 College Cup.