Pioneers Edged 3-2 by No. 5 New Mexico

October 8, 2011

DENVER—Senior midfielder Jarod Stigall (Plano, Texas) and freshman forward Christian Volesky (Henderson, Nev.) both had goals, but the University of Denver men’s soccer were edged 3-2 by No. 5 New Mexico at CIBER Field at the University of Denver Soccer Stadium on Friday night.

“It’s a rivalry, every game with New Mexico since I’ve been here has been a one goal game. I’m gutted from the result because I think the guys deserve better,” head coach Bobby Muuss said. “I don’t think the team deserves to be 2-5-3, but the schedule obviously has been very difficult. We are a very good team and we’re moving in the right direction. We just have to find ways to win games.”

The Pioneers (2-5-3, 0-1-1 MPSF) had all four of the game’s corner kicks, and the teams both had 10 shots.

New Mexico (8-0-2, 2-0-0 MPSF) jumped on the board 15 minutes in. Lance Rozeboom sent a pass into the box, and Blake Smith scored on a rebound off a shot by Devon Sandoval.

Stigall tied the game in the 21st minute, collecting a long throw in from senior forward Kellan Christensen (Layton, Utah) on the far side of the box and slipping inside the left post.

Denver took the lead in the 50th minute. Junior defender Blake Shannon (Houston, Texas) dribbled up the left side and sent a pass to sophomore midfield Zach Bolden (Denver, Colo.), who beat his defender on the endline. Bolden sent a cross to Volesky for a header inside the post.

The Lobos retied the game in the 58th minute, when Sandoval converted from inside the box, and Matthew Gibbons scored the game-winner in the 85th minute off a long cross from Blake Smith.

The Pioneers conclude their home stand against UNLV on Sunday at 2 p.m. MT. The game will follow a DU women’s soccer match against Troy, which begins at 12 p.m. MT.

Individual game tickets during the 2011 season are $8 for a reserved seatback and $5 for general admission, and may be purchased by phone at 303-871-2336, online at DenverPioneers.com or in person at the Ritchie Center Box Office. DU students are free with a Pioneer Card.

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