DENVER – The No. 19 University of Denver men’s soccer team was edged 1-0 to No. 6 Creighton in the season opener at CIBER Field on Saturday night.

“I think Creighton is a legitimate national championship contender, and I think our guys came out here and battled them, playing our brand of soccer,” head coach Bobby Muuss said. “We can’t be happy with a loss, but I’m happy with the direction that this group is going.

The game narrowly missed an overtime period, as a Creighton defender attempted to clear the ball with his head, sending it into the post as the buzzer sounded.

The Pioneers (0-1-0) out-shot the Bluejays 19-7 in the game, including 15-4 in the second half. Creighton held a 6-5 edge in corner kicks, but four of DU’s corners were in the second half while holding CU to none.

The Bluejays (1-0-0) scored the only goal of the game, when Ethan Finlay sent a cross to Guido Pena in the box for a goal in the 65^th minute.

The Pioneers had their chances, especially in the second half. Junior Alex Tarnoczi (Castle Rock, Colo.) fired a free kick through the Creighton wall, and CU goalkeeper Brian Holt just deflected it out of bounds. On the ensuing corner kick, sophomore Jack Henderson’s (Denver, Colo.) header went just wide of the goal.

Junior Drew Beckie (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) put four of his five shots on goal, including ones in the 52^nd and 78^th minute.

The Pioneers have a week off before hosting Davidson at CIBER Field on Sunday, Sept. 4 at noon MT. 

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