SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- It's early in the 2024 Summit League men's soccer slate but that does not discount the importance of every match with teams lined up to play an eight-game, round-robin schedule.
Kansas City's Durwood Stadium will provide the pitch for the league's two remaining unbeatens to square off Saturday night. Denver racked up six points last week to get Summit action underway after securing a pair of wins, while the Roos are right behind DU with four points and a 1-0-1 record.
Oral Roberts, who also has four points and sits in a tie for second on the table, travels to play St. Thomas, who is looking to snap a five-game skid overall and three-game skid in Summit play.
The Pioneers (No. 1), Roos (No. 8) and Golden Eagles (No. 10) are all ranked in the United Soccer Coaches West Region Top 10.
UPCOMING
Saturday, Oct. 12 | Stream | Local Time
Oral Roberts at St. Thomas | SLN | 1 p.m.
(3/1) Denver at Kansas City | SLN | 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 16
Omaha at (3/1) Denver | SLN | 7 p.m.
Kansas City at Oral Roberts | SLN | 7 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 19
Oral Roberts at Omaha | SLN | 4 p.m.
St. Thomas at Kansas City | SLN | 7 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 26
Denver at St. Thomas | SLN | 12 p.m.
Omaha at Kansas City | SLN | 7 p.m.
National Rankings: (United Soccer Coaches/Top Drawer)
Key: ACCX (ACC Network Xtra), B1G+ (Big Ten Plus), ESPN+ (ESPN Plus), FLO (Flosports), NEC (NEC Front Row), SLN (Summit League Network), WAC (WAC International)
RESULTS
Wednesday, Oct. 2
Omaha 2, St. Thomas 1
(5/1) Denver 3, Oral Roberts 2
Saturday, Oct. 5
(5/1) Denver 5, St. Thomas 0
Kansas City 1, Omaha 1
Monday, Oct. 7
(1/2) Pittsburgh 2, (5/1) Denver 0
Wednesday, Oct. 9
Green Bay 3, St. Thomas 1
Creighton 2, Omaha 1
National Rankings (United Soccer Coaches/Top Drawer)
AROUND THE LEAGUE
• After earning a 5-0 win over St. Thomas to improve to 2-0-0 in Summit League action, (3/1) Denver saw its 11-match unbeaten streak to open the season come to a close in a 2-0 loss at (1/2) Pittsburgh.
• The Panthers got goals in the 39th and 51st minutes and outshot the visiting Pios 13-5 in the contest between the top-ranked teams in both major men’s college soccer polls.
• Prior to their visit to the Steel City, DU put up a season-high five goals to go unbeaten during a five-game homestand. Oje Ofunrein had his second consecutive game-winning goal while Tyler Schommer notched his first career brace in the win over UST.
• Ian Smith added three assists in the win over the Tommies and now ranks eighth nationally along with teammate Sam Bassett with eight on the season.
• Denver will next clash with Kansas City Saturday after the Roos salvaged a Summit point in a 1-1 draw at Omaha in their last action. Jeremy Francou scored the equalizer with just over nine minutes left on the clock.
• The Roos, who are ranked 11th nationally averaging 2.67 goals per game, had scored three or more in four straight contests before the Mavericks held them to a single tally.
• Omaha scored first in the 65th minute on Mathis Pilon St-Louis’ third goal of the season. The Mavericks moved to 1-1-1 in Summit play.
• The Mavericks also took a break from league play this past week, hosting crosstown rival Creighton in a match the Bluejays would squeak out a 2-1 victory.
• Italo Jenkins put Omaha on the scoreboard in the 79th minute, trimming the deficit in half but despite holding a 6-5 edge in shots on frame, the Mavericks could not find the late equalizer.
• The Mavericks return to action next Wednesday at (3/1) Denver.
• The Tommies play host to Oral Roberts Saturday and will look to snap a five-game losing skid.
•UST outshot visiting Green Bay 15-10 in non-conference action Wednesday, but the Phoenix were able to improve to 9-3-0 on the season after earning a 3-1 road win.
• Alejandro Griner scored his second goal of the season in the 60th minute for the Tommies.
• Denver moved up to No. 3 in the United Soccer Coaches poll following their loss at (1/2) Pitt and remained No. 1in the Top Drawer Soccer poll that came out prior to Monday night’s match.
• The Pioneers (No. 1), the Roos (No. 8) and the Golden Eagles (No. 10) all remained ranked in the USC West Region Top 10.
• DU defender Trevor Wright was named to the TDS National Team of the Week for his efforts in wins over Oral Roberts and St. Thomas.
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