Senior midfielder Jarod Stigall had a hat trick and an assist against Air Force last season. Photo: Rich Clarkson & Associates
Denver men’s soccer begins its defense of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation regular season crown when the Pioneers take on in-state rival Air Force at CIBER Field at 7 p.m. Saturday.
DU is 23-25-4 all-time against the Falcons but is 6-0-1 in the past seven meetings and 15-3-1 since 2000. The Pioneers won the lone tie on penalty kicks after regulation and a pair of overtimes in the 2009 conference tournament, and DU has outscored Air Force 33-15 this century.
“It’s a big game for us, opening the [conference] season at home against a very good Air Force team,” Head Coach Bobby Muuss says. “The two Division I teams in Colorado doing battle at CIBER Field on Saturday should create a good environment, and we look forward to the support from the student body and DU community.”
The Falcons enter the contest 6-2-0 this season, nearly doubling their opponents’ goal total at 22-12. Air Force leads the conference in goals per game (2.75) and assists per game (2.62). Four Air Force players have double digits in points, including John Melcher and Kevin Dunn with 14 points each, which puts them in a tie for second in the conference. Dunn is also third in the nation with six assists.
DU junior Drew Beckie of Highlands Ranch, Colo., switched from defense to midfield this season and scored three goals last weekend to jump into the DU lead in goals (4) and points (9). During the eight-game nonconference season, the Pioneers and their opponents both had 13 goals.
Tickets for Denver soccer cost $5 for general admission and $8 for reserved chairbacks. DU student tickets are free with a Pioneer Card. Visit the DU Pioneers website for tickets.
This Week’s Pioneer Home Schedule:
| Date | Sport | Opponent | Location | Time |
| Oct. 1 | Lacrosse (W) | Regis (exh.) | Barton Stadium | 12:30 p.m. MT |
| Oct. 1 | Soccer (M) | Air Force | CIBER Field | 7 p.m. MT |
| Oct. 1 | Hockey | McGill (exh.) | Magness Arena | 7:07 p.m. MT |