The University of Denver men’s soccer team outshot Eastern Illinois 31-1 — including 20-1 in the second half — to claim the Summit League regular season title on Saturday night at CIBER Field at the University of Denver Soccer Stadium. The Pioneers will return to their home field for the 2015 Summit League Championship. Kickoff of the first semifinal on Nov. 12 is set for 4 p.m. MT.
Saturday night’s league championship win gives Denver its third consecutive Summit League title and its fifth regular season title since 2008.
Denver dominated possession in both halves, but Eastern Illinois goalkeeper Mike Novotny made 12 saves to keep Eastern Illinois in the match. The Pioneers took the first 31 shots of the match, and allowed the Panthers’ 25-yard attempt at an equalizer in the 90th minute.
The Pioneers goal came in the 82nd minute, when junior right back Reagan Dunk found sophomore Cole Stevenson. Stevenson turned his defender and had his 15-yard strike deflected over the outstretched arms of Novotny and into the back of the net. The goal was the fourth of the season and the fifth career goal for Stevenson. Dunk now has eight helpers on the campaign and 13 in his career. The Pioneer junior entered the day 15th in assists per game.
In addition to Denver’s 31 shots, the Pioneers took 12 corners in the match. Redshirt-senior goalkeeper Dan Jackson was not called on to make a save in the match.
Saturday night’s fourth-straight shutout extended Denver’s current streak to 432:18, marking the longest run since Denver kept five straight clean sheets in the 2013 season. DU’s longest match stretch without allowing a goal is eight, in the 1988 campaign.
Denver closes out its 2015 regular season on Saturday as the Pioneers travel to IPFW for a 5 p.m. MT kickoff.