LAS VEGAS - On a day that wasn't kind to goalkeepers, senior midfielder Jarod Stigall (Plano, Texas) played a brilliant ball to senior forward Matt Kirby (Beaumont, Texas) for game-winning goal in the 105^th minute to give the Pioneers a 5-4 win over UNLV on Sunday afternoon.

In addition to the Kirby game-winner, Denver (4-6-3, 2-2-1 MPSF) got two goals from freshman forward Christian Volesky (Henderson, Nev.) and a goal apiece from sophomore midfielder Zach Bolden (Denver, Colo.) and junior forward Alex Tarnoczi (Castle Rock, Colo.). 

"We were very efficient in the game, going into halftime 2-0," head coach Bobby Muuss said. "We missed a really good chance in front of the goal about five or six minutes into the second half to put the game away, but give credit to UNLV. They just kept fighting and fighting."

Bolden opened the scoring in the 29^th minute, getting on the end of a cross from Stigall and driving the ball inside the left post for his first goal of the season.

In the 38^th minute, junior forward Joe Eubanks (Denver, Colo.) and Kirby exchanged passes down the right side of the pitch before Kirby delivered a cross inside the penalty area.  Volesky, playing just outside his hometown, got on the end of the Kirby service and sent a header across the face of goal and just inside the post to put DU up 2-0.

UNLV's Nick Marshall drew the Rebels to within one in the 57^th minute on a header off a corner kick service from Jonny Espinoza.

Marshall struck again in the 59^th minute for the Rebels (2-10-0, 1-4-0 MPSF), sneaking behind the Pioneers defense on a pass from Salvador Bernal to level the match at two.

Eubanks played the ball to a wide open Volesky in the 69^th minute on the counter attack. Volesky took several touches down the right hand side before moving into the box and sliding the ball past the keeper.

In the 78^th minute, Bernal got the Rebels their second equalizer and in the 79^th minute delivered a go-ahead goal on nearly an instant replay of his first. On each attempt, Bernal was able to create the opportunity all by himself, spinning his defender with some creative footwork before slotting it into the back of the net.

The Pioneers kept the DU faithful that made the trip on the edge of their seats, as Tarnoczi scored with 27 seconds left on a scrum in the box.  After a corner kick service rolled off a couple of heads, sophomore defender Blair Jeralds (Clemmons, N.C.) headed it to Tarnoczi who half volleyed it into the upper 90 for the equalizer.

UNLV put a chance on target in the first overtime, but freshman goalkeeper Oliver Brown (Louisville, Ky.) made his eighth save of the match, keeping it level and sending the two squads to a second overtime period. 

On the game-winner, Stigall won the ball in the Pioneers defensive half, took a couple of touches and couldn't find anyone to play the ball to.  With both of the Pioneer forwards offside, Stigall had the awareness not to play the through ball down the middle, but instead passed to Kirby who came from the opposite wing Stigall, and the Kirby buried the golden goal to send the Pioneers back to Denver with a 5-4 win.

The Pioneers will continue their four game MPSF road swing next weekend in California. DU will take on Sacramento State on Friday at 5 p.m. MT, before traveling to San Jose State for a 3:30 p.m. MT kickoff on Sunday.

---

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

Men's NCAA Tournament First Round Recap

TeamRank Presented By TeamSnap - Boys

Midwest High School Roundup - Nov.