Denver Shuts Out Oral Roberts 4-0

by Gabe Flanagan
September 16, 2012

 

DENVER - University of Denver men's soccer senior Josh Wren (Tulsa, Okla.) scored for the fourth time in six games, leading the Pioneers to a 4-0 shutout over Oral Roberts at CIBER Field on Sunday afternoon.

"The guys stepped up and had a little extra energy. The speed of play was good, and the difference was we finished our chances," head coachBobby Muuss said. "We scored a couple goals, and it opened up the game. We had a lot of guys who didn't play major minutes on Friday but really contributed today. We're getting better each week, and we're getting more depth each week."

The Pioneers (3-1-2) got off to an early lead thanks to a goal from junior midfielder Zach Bolden (Denver, Colo.). Led by an assist from seniorDrew Beckie (Highlands Ranch, Colo.), Bolden walked through three defenders at the top of the box and fired a shot past Oral Roberts goalkeeper Isaac Sandoval in the 10th minute. Bolden nearly knocked in another five minutes later off a corner, which hit the inside of the back post and bounced out.

Oral Roberts (1-6-0) nearly tied it up in the 15th minute off a nearly perfectly placed free kick by midfielder Gerardo Salas from 25 yards, but the ball hit the far post.

Junior defender Blair Jeralds (Clemmons, N.C.) gave the Pioneers a 2-0 lead in the 69th minute. Bolden fed a short corner into senior midfieldMark Weigand (Fort Wayne, Ind.) who played a ball through the Golden Eagles defense, giving Jeralds an open look at the net.

Just six minutes later, Wren gave DU more insurance, stealing the ball from the ORU defense and sending a 20-yard bullet over the head of ORU goalkeeper Ryan Grashik. Wren, who leads DU with nine points this season, has scored in four of Denver's six games this season, while adding an assist in a fifth game.

In the 87th minute, freshman Chandler Crosswait (Bedford, Texas) placed a perfect pass ahead to sophomore Brian Hoyt (Tempe, Ariz.), who finished chipped a shot over the charging goalkeeper.

Denver outshot Oral Roberts 29-7, while holding the Golden Eagles without a shot on goal, and held a 9-2 advantage in corner kicks.

Season and individual tickets are on sale now for the 2012 season. Season tickets for 11 Denver Men's Soccer games and eight Denver Women's Soccer games are $57. By purchasing season tickets, fans will enjoy the same centerfield seat, including a comfortable seatback for all 19 games at CIBER Field at the University of Denver Soccer Stadium. Season tickets are available at DenverPioneers.com or by calling/e-mailing Season Ticket and Premium Seating Manager Eric Vasquez at 303.871.7460.

Individual game tickets during the 2012 season are $10 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. For group ticket discounts of 20 or more, please call/e-mail Adam Sizemore at 303-871-2389.

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