Pioneers Edged 3-2 by No. 5 New Mexico

October 8, 2011

DENVER—Senior midfielder Jarod Stigall (Plano, Texas) and freshman forward Christian Volesky (Henderson, Nev.) both had goals, but the University of Denver men’s soccer were edged 3-2 by No. 5 New Mexico at CIBER Field at the University of Denver Soccer Stadium on Friday night.

“It’s a rivalry, every game with New Mexico since I’ve been here has been a one goal game. I’m gutted from the result because I think the guys deserve better,” head coach Bobby Muuss said. “I don’t think the team deserves to be 2-5-3, but the schedule obviously has been very difficult. We are a very good team and we’re moving in the right direction. We just have to find ways to win games.”

The Pioneers (2-5-3, 0-1-1 MPSF) had all four of the game’s corner kicks, and the teams both had 10 shots.

New Mexico (8-0-2, 2-0-0 MPSF) jumped on the board 15 minutes in. Lance Rozeboom sent a pass into the box, and Blake Smith scored on a rebound off a shot by Devon Sandoval.

Stigall tied the game in the 21^st minute, collecting a long throw in from senior forward Kellan Christensen (Layton, Utah) on the far side of the box and slipping inside the left post.

Denver took the lead in the 50^th minute. Junior defender Blake Shannon (Houston, Texas) dribbled up the left side and sent a pass to sophomore midfield Zach Bolden (Denver, Colo.), who beat his defender on the endline. Bolden sent a cross to Volesky for a header inside the post.

The Lobos retied the game in the 58^th minute, when Sandoval converted from inside the box, and Matthew Gibbons scored the game-winner in the 85^th minute off a long cross from Blake Smith.

The Pioneers conclude their home stand against UNLV on Sunday at 2 p.m. MT. The game will follow a DU women’s soccer match against Troy, which begins at 12 p.m. MT.

Individual game tickets during the 2011 season are $8 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.

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