DENVER -- Elie Kisoka's 90th-minute goal lifted second-seeded Kansas City to a 2-1 victory over top-seeded Denver in the 2024 Summit League Men's Soccer Championship final Saturday. Kisoka's game-winning strike came off a corner kick from Julien Le Bourdoulous, who set up both Roos' tallies in the program's first title-game victory since 2008.

Kansas City overcame an early 1-0 deficit to make good on hoisting a trophy after falling short in each of the past two tournament finales.

Sam Bassett put the Pioneers, who were ranked No. 2 in the Top Drawer Soccer poll and No. 4 in the United Soccer Coaches poll, on the scoreboard first as the senior All-American capped off a counterattack in the 15th minute for his eighth goal of the season.

Bassett had another great scoring chance just a couple of minutes later but KC goalkeeper Brandon McGaugh made a diving save to his left to keep it a 1-0 contest.

DU goalkeeper Issac Nehme took his turn making a diving save. The Summit League Goalkeeper of the Year prevented Kisoka, who was named the league's Offensive Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year earlier in the week, from scoring an equalizer when he turned away his header thanks to quick reflexes.

The Roos would get the first-half equalizer on their only corner kick of the first half. Guille Munoz headed the service from Le Bourdoulous towards the goal mouth where it deflected off KC captain Bryson Gosch for his first goal of the season.

The Pioneers were able to get five second-half shots off, but could not put any on frame after the break. The Roos had six shots in the second half and three of those came in the final 17 minutes when they were playing with a man-advantage after Ian Smith was sent off for a red card.

Both teams will be tuned into the NCAA Men's Soccer Tournament Selection Show will be streamed live at 12 p.m. CT on Monday. The Roos, who earned the automatic qualifier, and the Pioneers, who own the No. 3 RPI in the country, will both be participants when the 48-team field is announced.
 
Turning Point

• The Roos earned just their third corner kick of the match in the closing minute and for the second time in the match, Julien Le Bourdoulous delivered a ball that was converted into a goal when Elie Kisoka scored the game-winner with 13 seconds left.

Inside the box score

• Kansas City and Denver both had 11 shots in the game with the Roos putting five on goal, while the Pioneers only managed two. 
• The Pioneers held an 8-3 advantage in corner kicks but the Roos were able to convert two of their attempts into goals.
• Elie Kisoka's 90th-minute tally was his sixth game-winning goal of the season, which tied him for the national lead with Akron's Emil Jaaskelainen.  

News & Notes

• The Roos' win was their 12th of the season, which tied them for the most in program history (2001) 
• DU is now 6-1-0 all-time in Summit League Tournament finals played on its home field
• The Pioneers are now 9-1-3 all-time as the No. 1 seed after suffering their first loss from that spot in the bracket 
• KC was playing in its third straight Summit League Tournament final and won its first title since 2008 and fourth overall
• The teams split their two regular season matchups with the Roos winning 1-0 at home on Oct. 12 and the Pioneers taking a 2-1 victory at home on Oct. 30

All-Tournament Team
Bryson Gosch, Kansas City
Ben Smith, Denver
Elie Kisoka, Kansas City
Oje Ofunrein, Denver
Julien Le Bourdoulous, Kansas City (MVP)
Trevor Wright, Denver
Miguel Fernandez, Kansas City