November 17th 2024.
In the contact list of UMKC, there was a number that was dialed repeatedly during the Summit League final against the University of Denver. The Roos were determined to come out on top and claim their second consecutive conference title, and they did just that with a 2-1 victory on Saturday at DU Soccer Stadium.
The Pioneers started off strong, dominating possession and scoring an early goal. It seemed like they were on their way to finally securing the conference title that they had missed out on the previous year against the same opponent. However, the Roos had other plans and managed to tie the game just before halftime. With a man advantage, they were able to score the winning goal and take home the championship.
Despite having majority of the possession and limiting their opponent's chances, DU coach Jamie Franks felt that his team could have been more dangerous in the game. He saw it as a learning lesson for his players and acknowledged that UMKC played well on set pieces.
The Pioneers started off the game with a lot of energy, but their opening goal came from a good string of possession by UMKC. The Roos' defender Dylan Akau stole the ball in the 15th minute and passed it to freshman winger Keegan Kelly, who then found midfielder Sam Bassett with a perfectly placed through ball. Bassett made a beautiful shot to score the equalizing goal.
After that, it seemed like the Pioneers were in control and were on their way to win the game. They were energetic and strong on defense, but their momentum was halted when UMKC's Bryson Gosch scored off a corner kick in the 28th minute.
The game was tied for most of the second half, until the Roos finally got their winning goal in the 90th minute off another corner kick. The ball narrowly missed Ronan Wynne's head and landed at the feet of an open Elie Kisoka, who scored with just 13 seconds left on the clock. The Pioneers' chances of a comeback were diminished when forward Ian Smith received a red card in the 74th minute for accidentally stepping on a UMKC player's leg.
Despite the loss, coach Franks remained positive and was confident that his team would receive an at-large bid in the NCAA Tournament. He pointed to their impressive record against top teams and their narrow loss in the conference title game as evidence of their strong performance throughout the season. Franks emphasized the importance of bouncing back and taking the tournament one game at a time.
The Pioneers will find out their first round opponent on Monday, with the possibility of earning a bye and starting their tournament run on Sunday, November 24. For more sports news and analysis on Denver's teams, sign up for the Sports Omelette.
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