DENVER -- Top-seeded Denver won the Summit League Men's Soccer Championship in record-setting fashion, defeating second-seeded Kansas City 4-2 Saturday at the University of Denver Soccer Stadium. The (RV/NR) Pioneers matched their goal total from the semifinals to set a tournament record for total goals with eight as they rolled to their ninth tournament title in program history.

In the rematch of last year's title match that KC won 2-1, Keegan Kelly started the scoring early, breaking loose for a tally in the second minute to quickly put DU ahead in a title match that saw the teams combine for the most goals in a title match since seven were scored in 2005. 

After (21/23) Kansas City leveled things at 1-1 on a penalty kick from Jeremy Francou in the 21st minute, the Pioneers would regain the lead from their own penalty spot 15 minutes later to take a 2-1 lead into the break.

Will King would add an insurance goal for the Pioneers in the 64th minute when he stole a pass near midfield and dribbled his way to just outside the box where he fired a shot past a diving Marc Popow in goal for the Roos.

McGowan would make it a 4-1 contest as he converted his second from the penalty spot in the 67th minute.

Francou would get one back for the Roos in the 74th minute but that would be the only tally the visitors could muster down the stretch as Denver secured its 20th overall trophy as a Summit League member (11 regular season titles and nine tournament titles).

With the victory, Denver earned the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament -- the selection show is set to air on NCAA.com at 12 p.m. CT/11 a.m. MT.
 
Turning Point

• DU midfielder Luke Schultz drew a penalty in the box in the 37th minute and Kyle McGowan delivered from the spot to give the Pioneers the lead for good

Inside the box score

• Kelly opened the scoring in the second minute with his fifth goal in DU's last three matches, including four in the postseason 
• Schultz drew both fouls inside the penalty box resulting in a pair of goals from McGowan
• McGowan's brace was his second of the season as he extended his team-leading total to nine on the season
• Francou's brace was his second of the season as he pushed his team-leading total to 11 on the season
• Denver held a 15-13 edge in total shots after both squads got five off in the opening 45 minutes

News & Notes

• Kelly became just the third player in Summit League Championship history to score four goals in the postseason event -- Paul Wright was the last to achieve the feat for Central Connecticut State in 1998
• Denver won the ninth tournament title in program history and first since 2022
• The six combined goals were tied for the second most in a title match and most since the 2005 when Western Illinois defeated Oakland 4-3 in overtime
• Denver's eight totals goals -- also scored four in a semifinal win over Delaware -- set a tournament record, breaking the old mark of seven held by Howard (1998) and Oakland (2005)

All-Tournament Team
Jeremy Francou, Kansas City
Freddy Jeffreys, Delaware
Keegan Kelly, Denver (MVP)
Kyle McGowan, Denver
Joao Mesquita, Oral Roberts
Juan Moreno, Oral Roberts
Wade Muttitt, Kansas City
Isaac Nehme, Denver
Marc Popow, Kansas City
Aidan Semelsberger, Denver
Sean Smith, Delaware

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