GRANVILLE, Ohio (September 1, 2023) – A pair of assists by junior Jake Krueger and an inspiring Big Red defensive effort propelled the Denison University men’s soccer team to a 2-0 season-opening victory over Roanoke College on Friday night at Deeds Field-Piper Stadium.
In what was the first-ever meeting between Denison (1-0) and Roanoke (0-1), a strong defensive effort by the Big Red in the first half helped generate the first goal of the season.
In the 27th minute, Krueger came up with a steal on Denison’s attacking side of the field and drove down into the 18-yard box where he laid the ball off to fellow-junior Corey Brunner, who sent a cross directly through the Roanoke defense, splitting the last defender and goalkeeper. Junior Cameron McIntosh then delivered the decisive touch on the back post, sending the ball into the back of the net to make it 1-0 Big Red.
The Big Red limited the Maroons to just one shot in the first half, but in the second half, it was Roanoke who was the aggressor, but the Denison backline held strong.
Roanoke outshot Denison 8-2 in the second half and forced junior goalkeeper Tommy Prokos to make a pair of saves to go along with one team save.
The dagger on behalf of the Big Red came in the 85th minute again facilitated by Krueger as after a great effort play allowed him to breakaway down the left sideline, Krueger then crossed the ball into the middle to freshman Jack Rice, who was able to beat the goalie for the final tally.
Krueger led the team with three shots on the match, but it was his passing ability that made the difference.
“That was a great first game for our 2023 team,” said Denison Head Coach Brandon Bianco. “Roanoke is a really good team and pressed in the second half and didn’t make things easy, but our group played really hard and I’m proud the guys found a second goal to kill the game.”
Next up, Denison will play another team for the first time in program history as the Big Red host Transylvania University at 12 p.m. on Sunday, September 3.
