Denver Shuts Out UNLV, 3-0

by Niko Blankenship

October 28, 2012

LAS VEGAS - The University of Denver men's soccer team clinched a berth into the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Tournament with a 3-0 win at UNLV on Sunday afternoon at Peter Johann Field.

"They [UNLV] were coming off a big win over Air Force on Friday," head coach Bobby Muuss said. "We played all 21 players this weekend, and today was the ultimate team win. To come on the road and keep a clean sheet against an incredible attacking team, shows how well we played today. Wins on the road, especially wins on the road on Sundays, are crucial to a successful season. The guys that came off the bench today gave us some huge minutes and a couple of goals."

After a scoreless opening 45 minutes, senior forward Josh Wren (Tulsa, Okla.) opened the scoring on junior forward Zach Bolden's (Denver, Colo.) first of two assists on the afternoon. Bolden's pass came just after a scramble in the box, setting up Wren's finish from close range. Wren's 48th-minute goal was his seventh of the season.

Minutes later, Bolden played a dangerous ball inside the penalty area to junior midfielder Anees Abdulgasem (Denver, Colo.), who turned his defender and scored from six-yards out to give the Pioneers (9-5-3, 4-4-1 MPSF) a two-goal lead in the 50th minute. The goal was Abdulgasem's second of the campaign.

Junior defender Jack Henderson (Denver, Colo.) picked up his first point of the season in the 72nd minute, playing a cross into the middle of the box to sophomore forward Ryan Dodson (Libertyville, Ill.), who capped of the Pioneers' scoring on the afternoon from 12-yards out for his second goal of 2012.

The Pioneers limited UNLV (6-12-1, 4-5-0 MPSF) to just one shot on goal in the match.

Denver will look to avenge a road loss at in-state rival Air Force on Saturday, as the Pioneers host the Falcons in both teams' regular season finale on Saturday (7 p.m. MT) at CIBER Field at the University of Denver Soccer Stadium.

Visit DenverPioneers.com for complete coverage of all 17 of DU's NCAA Division I sports.

-EXPERIENCE DENVER ATHLETICS-

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