December 8th 2024.
"Looks like Jamie Franks is treating the team to a fancy dinner tonight at Texas Roadhouse. The DU Pioneers men's soccer team secured their spot in the College Cup for only the second time in their program's history with a 3-0 win over the University of Massachusetts. But hold your horses, the steak dinner isn't just a celebratory feast for the team's victory. It's actually a promise that Franks made to the players - whoever scores a goal from the defense position owes the team a steak dinner."
"And last night, it was defender Jason Belloli's time to shine. In the eighth minute of the NCAA Tournament quarterfinal, Belloli scored the first goal of the game with a powerful header, thanks to a perfect corner kick from midfielder Sam Bassett. As the team's running joke goes, whenever a center back scores, Franks owes them a steak dinner. And last night, Belloli finally cashed in on his well-deserved meal."
"Although this was his first goal of the season, Belloli's contribution to the team goes beyond just scoring. As a senior from Illinois, he has been a key player in the Pioneers' success this season. And with the team's impressive defense, they have been able to secure three consecutive shutouts in the NCAA Tournament, with a combined score of 7-0. It's been a long time coming for Franks and his team, who have been building towards this moment since the 2021 recruiting class - a turning point in Franks' tenure as head coach."
"According to Franks, the success of the team is not solely because of his coaching, but rather the players' unique combination of skill and determination. And it was evident in last night's game, with a record-breaking crowd of 2,361 in attendance at DU Soccer Stadium. The team's belief and sense of urgency on the field was palpable, and their game plan was simple yet effective - find the back post."
"The Pioneers' second goal came from defender Ronan Wynne, off a cross from winger Ian Smith. And just to make sure they had a comfortable lead, the team scored a third goal early in the second half, with a grounded cross from defender Dylan Akau to forward Oje Ofunrein. With this win, the Pioneers have now advanced to the semifinals of the College Cup, where they will face unseeded Vermont."
"But for Franks and his team, their journey is far from over. They are not satisfied with just making it to the semifinals, as they have their sights set on winning the national championship. And they truly believe that they are the best team in the country. Their next challenge will be facing Vermont, who pulled off a major upset against national No. 2 seed Pittsburgh. But the Pioneers are ready to showcase their skills and prove that they are a force to be reckoned with."
"As the team prepares for their next game, Franks reflects on their journey so far. Last year, the team faced some setbacks due to injuries, but they never lost sight of their goal to win the national championship. And now, they are more determined than ever to make it happen. The Pioneers will take the field on Friday with one thing on their mind - to bring home the College Cup and solidify their status as the best team in the country. Stay tuned for more updates on Denver's teams by signing up for the Sports Omelette."
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