It was difficult to call Saturday's clash a meaningless spring game, as this clash at midfield
indicates. The visiting Fort Lewis Skyhawks beat the host DU Pioneers 4-1. (Photo by Jessica
Taves/ColoradoSoccerNow.com)
The University of Denver dedicated its soccer field Saturday, but it was the visiting Fort Lewis
Skyhawks who got to christen the field with goals and a spring win.
University of Denver men's soccer midfielder Jarod Stigall was named to the "Top Drawer Soccer"
National Men's Team of the Week as well as earning Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Player of the
Week honors.
Stigall recorded a hat trick on four shots in Denver's 5-1 victory at Air Force to open the MPSF
season.
DU men's soccer player Michael Perry was voted to the CoSIDA Academic All-American Men's Soccer
First Team for the University Division, the College Sports Information Directors of America
announced Thursday.
"It's a great honor," Perry said. "I've had a great support system for the last four years.
University of Denver defender Kris Banghart, from Fort Collins, was chosen by Real Salt Lake
with the 64th pick of Thursday's Major League Soccer draft.
After transferring to Denver for his sophomore year, Banghart started every game at defender for
the past three seasons and served as co-captain as a senior.
University of Denver senior captain Michael Perry was among 60 NCAA men's and women's soccer
student-athletes, who excel both on and off the field, and were tabbed as candidates Wednesday for
the 2010 Lowe's Senior CLASS Award.
To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior
and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence – classroom, character, community and
competition.
University of Denver men's soccer junior midfielder Jarod Stigall was named Mountain Pacific
Sports Federation Player of the Week, the MPSF announced Tuesday.
"I am happy that Jarod was recognized by the conference for his accomplishments and those of the
team over the weekend," head coach Bobby Muuss said.
The University of Denver men's soccer team dropped a 4-0 decision to No. 23 Penn State on Sunday
afternoon at CIBER field.
"Obviously we're disappointed with the result today," head coach Bobby Muuss said. "However, I
don't think the score reflected the actual match. Penn State did a great job finishing their
chances, but we had some good looks that we weren't able to put in.
Four goals went into the net on Friday, but the University of Denver fared much better in the
total.
After falling to Penn State 4-0 the past weekend, the Pioneers used goals from Kellan
Christensen and Kegan Harkenrider to fashion a 2-2 tie with No. 14-ranked California.
"I'm proud of the way the guys played against one of the best teams in the country today, but
I'm disappointed in the final result," head coach Bobby Muuss said.
It was a mixed Sunday for the University of Denver soccer teams, as the women won at home while
the men fell on the road.
PIONEERS 2, WKU 0: Sophomore forward Kaitlin Bast and freshman midfielder
Nicholette DiGiacomo scored to lead the Pioneers (8-2-0, 2-0-0 Sun Belt Conference) to a 2-0
victory over Western Kentucky (3-7-0, 1-1-0 SBC) on Sunday afternoon.
The DU men's soccer team fell 1-0 to New Mexico after Lobos forward Josh Caffey scored with just
2:32 remaining at CIBER Field on Friday night.
"It was disappointing to have them score in the last three minutes," head coach Bobby Muuss
said. "We put in a lot of effort and played 65 minutes of good soccer.
The Pioneer women's soccer team remains on a roll in the Sun Belt Conference after a tight
match.
Meanwhile, CU fell in overtime and Northern Colorado fell apart late. In men's soccer, DU and
Air Force each lost close matches.
DU Needs OT: Sophomore defender Katy Van Lieshout scored a game-winner in
overtime to help DU keep its Sun Belt Conference record unblemished, as the Pioneers defeated the
Florida International Golden Panthers 1-0 at CIBER Field on Sunday afternoon.
The University of Denver men's soccer team will play the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos in Santa
Barbara, Calif., in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday night at 8 p.m.
This marks the second NCAA Tournament appearance for the Pioneers under Bobby Muuss, who also
led DU to the 2008 NCAA Tournament.
DU men's soccer player Jarod Stigall was a third team selection to TopDrawerSoccer.com's Men's
Team of the Season, the national website announced Wednesday.
"I'm happy that Top Drawer Soccer recognized Jarod as one of the best players in the country this
season," Denver head coach Bobby Muuss said.
