KANSAS CITY -- Wade Muttitt's first-half goal and a late tally by Jeremy Francou were enough to propel second-seeded Kansas City to a 2-0 victory over third-seeded Delaware in semifinal action at the 2025 Summit League Men's Soccer Championship Sunday at Durwood Stadium. KC goalkeeper Marc Popow held the nation's top offense scoreless for just the third time this season, fending away all seven shots on goal by the Blue Hens, who suffered defeat for just the second time.
Popow turned away four of those shots on frame in the opening 45 minutes to help provide (t25/22) Kansas City with that one-goal advantage going into the break. Both goalkeepers were forced into a diving stops in the opening 10 minutes as each team provided spurts of offensive pressure throughout the second meeting between the two sides in the last four days.
Muttitt would get the breakthrough in the 39th minute after Bryson Gosch dribbled the ball up to midfield before connecting with a sprinting Joackim Betina down the right flank. Betina would take just one touch before hitting Muttitt in stride as he sent a shot inside the far post and past a sprawling JoJo Elliott, Jr., in goal for Delaware.
After being outshot 6-3 in the first half, the defending postseason champs kept up the offensive pressure and finally doubled their lead in the 87th minute to secure the program's fourth straight trip to the title game.
Popow added three saves to his total in the second half as Delaware could not get anything past the freshman goalie, who registered his seventh shutout of the campaign after giving up three goals in a draw with the same Blue Hens this past Wednesday in the regular season finale.
Kansas City will travel to Denver to take on the top-seeded Pioneers in the Summit League Men's Soccer Championship match on Saturday, Nov. 15 at 4 p.m. CT/3 p.m. MT.
Turning Point
- Muttitt broke a scoreless tie when he finished a cross from Joackim Betina in the 39th minute
Inside the box score
- Popow made four of his game-high seven saves in the first half as the Blue Hens were shutout for just the third time this season
- Popow's shutout was his seventh of the season
- Kansas City held a 12-11 edge in shots, while the Blue Hens held a 7-6 advantage in shots on goal
- Muttitt's goal was his fourth of the season, while Francou was his team-leading ninth of the campaign
News & Notes
- Delaware was making its Summit League Tournament debut after joining the conference prior to the 2025 season.
- Kansas City advanced to its fourth straight tournament title match and will seek the program's fifth title.
- These teams played to a 3-3 draw in the regular season finale Wednesday.
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