DENVER – The No. 4/3 University of Denver men's soccer team came from a goal down to equalize in the second half, but No. 13/10 Stanford retook the lead in the 75th minute to take a 2-1 win over the Pioneers on Sunday night at Cagan Stadium.
Scoring Summary:
[4] Denver: Welch 51' (McGowan)
[13] Stanford: Pymm 21', Bohane 75' (Flores)
Notes:
Denver fell to 17-19-9 against the United Soccer Coaches' Top-25 under Jack and Sheila Weinberg Head Men's Soccer Coach Jamie Franks, including 8-12-5 in true road games.
Ian Welch's second-half tally was his first goal of the season and the third of his career. Welch's point total moved to 10 in his career.
Kyle McGowan had the primary assist on the Welch leveler, his second career assist and his eighth career point.
Senior goalie Isaac Nehme recorded five saves on Sunday night, his most in a match since stopping seven shots at Oral Roberts two seasons ago (Oct. 28, 2023).
First Half:
15' After Stanford got off to a good start in terms of shots in the opening quarter hour, Keegan Kelly was chopped down by Stanford's left sided centerback Dylan Groeneveld, and he was the first player cautioned.
21' Stanford broke through on its eighth shot of the game but its first on target to take a lead before the half hour mark. Denver half cleared a Stanford attack down the right side, and it fell to Jack Pymm who bounced it off the far post and into the back of the net to give the Cardinal the lead.
29' Last season's goal scorer at Stanford, Kelly, got Denver's first shot off of the night, taking a crack from 25 yards out, but his shot hit a body in-front, and was cleared out.
36' Isaac Nehme recorded his first save on a shot from Fletcher Bank from just inside the area, but the senior keeper was able to get his body behind the ball and prevent a rebound.
Second Half:
51' Ian Welch leveled the match on a screamer from the top of the box. Kyle McGowan had a few touches near the left touchline before sliding a pass near the top of the box to Welch. Welch struck it first time and hit the underside of the crossbar and into the back of the net.
54' Stanford resumed its pressure after the Denver equalizer. Zach Bohane took a shot from the top of the box that Nehme came off his line to clear away.
68' The Cardinal were able to get to the end line and play a dangerous cross across Nehme's six-yard box, but the senior keeper dove to his right and punched it out of the area.
69' In just his second match back from a season-ending injury in the 2024 opener, Holger Olsson had an open run at goal but from a tight angle, and his shot was saved.
70' McGowan crossed a ball in from the left corner of the box and into the center of the area. Luke Schultz chested it down and the ball hit off a Stanford defender's arm that was distanced away from his body, but after video review, the referee did not see it as a penalty and the teams played on at 1-1.
74' Dylan Akau dribbled dangerously into the area and the ball deflected to Kelly in the center of the box. Kelly had an open look but pushed his shot wide of the post and out for a goal kick.
75' Stanford took the lead moments after on the counter, when Shane Flores found Zach Bohane streaking down the middle of the box, and Bohane's shot deflected off David Biggers and into the back of the net.
79' Denver earned its first corner of the night, and it resulted in a Stanford handball in the penalty area, but Kyle McGowan hit his attempt from the spot hard and low and the Stanford keeper made the save to keep the home side 2-1 ahead.
Up Next:
Denver will return home on Thursday night to take on nationally-ranked San Diego at 7 p.m. MT. The game will be broadcast on the Summit League Network. The first 100 fans to the game will receive a voucher for a free hot dog.
Ticket Information:
Tickets are on sale now for the 2025 Denver men's soccer season. Purchase tickets for the rest of the 2025 campaign here.
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