Monmouth 1-1 Denver (Stripling 37’, Smith 89’) | Single Game Tickets | Smith’s Game-Winning Goal

WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – The [20/15/12] University of Denver men’s soccer team conceded a first half penalty, but an 89th minute Graham Smith (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) strike on his Pioneer debut earned Denver a road point at [-/30/-] Monmouth in both teams’ season opener on Friday night at The Great Lawn.

“We disagree with the penalty, but that’s the game,” second-year head coach Jamie Franks said. “The team showed a lot of character and leadership to battle the adversity from that. I’m pleased with this performance, especially when you consider we were able to outshoot a very good Monmouth side 10-3 in the second half. Although we would have loved to have the three points tonight, to go on the road, play in this humidity and earn a result at a place that doesn’t give up many to the visitors is a positive. This match is a testament to the guys’ hard work all summer, and I’m proud of this performance.”

Redshirt-sophomore Nick Gardner (Marvin, N.C.) came up with a reflex save in the 37^th minute off a shot from Jake Areman, came off his line on the rebound and Brandon McCarthy got there late, spilled over Gardner as he was making contact with the ball and referee Nabil Alsaidi pointed straight to the spot. Monmouth’s Colin Stripling slotted home the penalty into the left half of the net to give the home side the breakthrough.

Smith’s 89^th minute equalizer came off a quick restart on the top of the box. Redshirt-senior midfielder Karsten Hanlin (Centennial, Colo.) played it down the right to All-American right back Reagan Dunk (Dallas, Texas) who crossed it into sophomore striker Andre Shinyashiki (Sao Paulo, Brazil) to setup the goal. Denver’s No. 9 held off the Monmouth center back and laid it off to Smith for the finish from just inside the penalty area to send the match into extra time.

Gardner, who made his first start since the Pioneers’ 2014 NCAA Tournament match at Oregon State, made six saves on the night, including three in the first half and three in extra time.

Denver outshot Monmouth 18-15 in the match, including the aforementioned 10-3 margin in the second 45. The Pioneers also held a 13-9 edge in corner kicks, including 8-1 in the second stanza.