Denver Knocks Off No. 19 San Diego, 2-1

September 6, 2015

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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Redshirt-junior Chandler Crosswait (Bedford, Texas) broke a 1-1 deadlock with an 85th minute winner inside the far post to send the University of Denver men’s soccer team to a 2-1 victory over No. 19 San Diego on Sunday afternoon at the UNM Soccer Complex.

“This weekend, I think our guys went out and proved that we can play with anyone in the country,” head coach Jamie Franks said. “Today was a great match between two disciplined and intelligent teams. I thought our guys responded well to the great flow this match provided, and were very true to our system today. The guys off the bench did a great job of jumping right into the match and sticking to our identity. Today was a total team effort.”

Junior captain Sam Hamilton (Evergreen, Colo.) put the Pioneers (3-0-1) in-front in the 22nd minute, slotting home his own rebound to convert his second tally on the campaign. Sophomore winger Alex Underwood (Winnetka, Ill.) played the cross into Hamilton in the area, who had his initial shot denied by USD keeper Thomas Olsen, but Hamilton quickly pounced on the rebound to finish his second of the weekend tournament.

“Sam (Hamilton) and Jordan’s (Schweitzer) leadership and their ability to manage matches keeps us positive throughout,” Franks said. “Sam did a great job of pushing forward at opportune times this weekend and taking advantage of his chances in the box.”

San Diego (2-1-1) struck right back in the 26th minute as USD’s Torrey Dearmas found the back of the net for the second time in 2015. Senior midfielder Eric Budniewski played a long ball to Dearmas, who made a cut in the box and finished the equalizer from eight-yards out.

The two teams went into the interval deadlocked at one, with both teams earning a corner kick apiece after the Dearmas’ leveler. Denver outshot USD 6-3 in the first half, putting three of its six shots on target in the opening 45 minutes.

Crosswait’s winner was his first goal since October 5, 2013, tucking a finish inside the far post off classmate Reagan Dunk’s (Dallas, Texas) third assist of the young campaign. The Bedford, Texas, native missed the entire 2014 campaign with an injury. The goal came after a good 15-minute spell for the Pioneers that included a couple shots on goal and corners for Denver.

DU’s game-winner was its second goal in the 85th minute or later this season, and its 21st goal in the final quarter hour since Franks’ arrival in 2012. Sunday’s win is the Pioneers’ first away from CIBER Field since defeating Western Illinois 1-0 in the 2013 Summit League Championship in Macomb (11/17/13).

This weekend’s tournament champion and All-Tournament Team will be announced following the New Mexico and UC Santa Barbara match later this evening.

UP NEXT: Denver will play its first one-match week of the campaign when the Pioneers travel to St. John's on Sept. 12 for a 5:30 p.m. MT kickoff.