December 1st 2024.
It's been quite the season for the University of Denver men's soccer team, and freshman Keegan Kelly has been on fire at just the right time. In the Round of 16 match against Indiana, Kelly's precise positioning in the 9th minute allowed him to score the only goal of the game, much to the delight of the record-breaking crowd of 1,875 at DU Soccer Stadium.
This win has the Pioneers chasing their second College Cup in program history, and for coach Jamie Franks, it's a proud moment to see a true freshman step up in a big match. Franks doesn't often rely on first-year players in these high-pressure situations, but Kelly's performance against Gardner-Webb in the second round caught his attention.
It wasn't just the diving header that Kelly scored to extend the Pioneers' lead to 2-0, or his impressive efforts in the press throughout the tournament. It was a moment in the first game where he missed what could have been an early goal and the way he bounced back from it. Franks believes it was in that moment that it became clear that Kelly was ready to make an impact on the game, and he has only continued to improve since then.
Franks' message to Kelly has been to trust himself, play on the edge, and trust his instincts. And that's exactly what Kelly did in the 9th minute against Indiana. Despite overrunning the ball, he instinctively hit it with all his might and found the back of the net, much to his own surprise and joy.
Franks also reflected on the program's history and how they have always been known for their outstanding footballing skills, but what they lacked was the "steel" or physicality. However, in this game against one of the country's top teams, hard work and physicality were what outshined historical prowess, especially in the second half.
The Pioneers did an excellent job disrupting and denying Indiana any long spells of possession in the first half, giving them only one shot opportunity. But the Hoosiers came back with much more pressure in the second half, trying to force an extra period. However, the most dangerous moment for the Pioneers came in the 77th minute when Indiana had a free kick and a chance to score, but DU keeper Isaac Nehme made an incredible save.
Nehme's performance was crucial in keeping the Hoosiers at bay, and his communication and organization of the back line were spot on. He admits that communication was something he needed to improve on after last week's game, and he made sure to control what he could in this match. His efforts, along with the strong defensive play of the team, kept Indiana from scoring and secured the win for the Pioneers.
The Pioneers now have their sights set on facing UMass in the next round, another solid defensive team that has pulled off some upsets in the tournament. But DU's impressive road record against top teams has earned them the right to host games until the College Cup, and they have been dominant at home. However, UMass is not to be underestimated, and Franks knows that his team will have to fight for every goal and every win in this tournament.
For Franks and the Pioneers, this is a moment they have been working towards, and they believe they have what it takes to win the national championship. Their senior players have put in so much effort and have never played the victim, even in tough road games against top opponents. They simply go out and fight for every win, and that's exactly what they plan to do in the upcoming games.
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