SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Denver forward Oje Ofunrein and defender Ian Smith garnered the latest Summit League Men’s Soccer Peak Performer of the Week awards, league officials announced Monday. The offensive honor is the third of Ofunrein’s career, while Smith earned his second defensive nod of the season and fourth weekly award of his career.

Ofunrein tallied both game-winning goals as the Pioneers opened Summit action with back-to-back home wins last week. In the 3-2 victory over Oral Roberts, Ofunrein’s tally in the 80^th minute proved decisive as the top-ranked Pioneers remained unbeaten on the season.

The Round Rock, Texas native opened the scoring in the 20^th minute of DU’s 5-0 win over St. Thomas. Ofunrein now has 18 career goals to sit sixth on DU’s career charts and his latest game-winner was the seventh of his career.

Smith was active on both ends of the field during Denver’s 2-0-0 week that saw them yield only two goals, including a shutout of the Tommies, which was DU’s fourth of the campaign.

The Littleton, Colo., native also assisted on five of DU’s eight goals last week from the back line. He helped on the Pios’ first two goals against ORU, then had the primary assist on three of his squad’s goals in the win over the Tommies.

Smith now shares the Summit lead with eight assists on the season.

OFFENSIVE PEAK PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK
Oje Ofunrein, Denver
Sr. | F | Round Rock, Texas

• Tallied both game-winning goals during 2-0-0 start for Denver in Summit action
• Capped DU’s scoring 3-2 win over Oral Roberts in the 80^th minute and opened the scoring 5-0 win over St. Thomas in 20^th minute
• This is the third career Summit League weekly honor for Kisoka 

Also nominated: Jeremy Francou (Kansas City).
 
DEFENSIVE PEAK PERFORMER OF THE WEEK
Ian Smith, Denver
Jr. | D | Littleton, Colo.

• Helped limit DU opponents to just two goals in opening week of Summit action
• Assisted on five of Pioneers’ eight goals in two victories, including a career-high three vs. the Tommies
• This is the fourth career weekly honor for Smith and second of his season

Also nominated: Brandon McGaugh (Kansas City).
 
2024 Men’s Soccer Peak Performers of the Week
August 26
O: Keegan Kelly, Denver
O: Elie Kisoka, Kansas City
D: Ian Smith, Denver

September 3
O: Omar Mora, Oral Roberts
D: Naz Astwood, Omaha

September 9
O: Raphael Kistmann, Kansas City
D: Isaac Nehme, Denver

September 16
O: Luis Flores, Oral Roberts
D: Ben Smith, Denver

September 23
O: Jose Estrada, Oral Roberts
D: Joao Mesquita, Oral Roberts

September 30
O: Elie Kisoka, Kansas City
D: Joao Mesquita, Oral Roberts

October 7
O: Oje Ofunrein, Denver
D: Ian Smith, Denver

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