[4] Denver 1-0 Western Illinois (Hanlin 81’ (pen)) | Buy Tickets | Photos

DENVER – Redshirt-senior Karsten Hanlin (Centennial, Colo.) converted from the spot in the 81^st minute and the [4/3] University of Denver men’s soccer team kept its 12^th cleansheet of the year to send the Pioneers to the Summit League Final with a 1-0 win over Western Illinois on Thursday evening at CIBER Field at the University of Denver Soccer Stadium.

Denver advances to play Omaha in the Summit League Final, who defeated Eastern Illinois 3-1 Thursday afternoon in the first semifinal. The two co-regular season champs will play for a second trophy in 2016 Saturday with kickoff set for 1 p.m. MT.

Scoreless 71 minutes in, Denver had its first penalty shout as junior Alex Underwood (Winnetka, Ill.) touched the ball around Western Illinois goalkeeper Tim Hansen who clipped the feet of Underwood just outside the six yard box. Referee Christopher Koloffon waved away the claim and pointed to the corner flag.

The Pioneers did get a penalty 10 minutes later when Amadeo Carbo was whistled for handling in the center of the box. Hanlin stepped up to convert the fourth penalty of his career and his third of the season. Thursday night’s goal was Hanlin’s fifth of the season and his 14^th as a Pioneer.

In an attempt to break-up a Western Illinois 84^th minute counter attack, junior centerback Kortne Ford (Greeley, Colo.) was called for a dangerous foul just inside the midfield stripe, forcing Koloffon to reach to his back pocket for a straight red card. Ford will miss Saturday’s Summit League Final to serve his suspension.

With the win on Thursday, Denver improved to 44-3-4 at CIBER Field since second year head coach Jamie Franks joined the DU staff as an assistant in 2012. 

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