Men's Soccer Outlasted by Denver in Summit League Finals

Saturday, November 12

Denver, CO

3:00 PM

Kansas City

7-5-5, 4-1-3

Denver

13-2-5, 6-0-2

Kansas City

Denver

Photo by: Morgan Engel

Men's Soccer Outlasted by Denver in Summit League Finals

11/12/2022 6:03:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

Kansas City could not overcome the Pioneer defense in the team's first conference final since 2009

DENVER, Colo. - Playing in its first conference championship game since 2009, Kansas City Men's Soccer fell in a de facto road match to nationally-ranked Denver, 3-0. Kansas City held off the Pioneer attack for as long as possible, but a goal late in the first half proved to be the game-winner. Following the game, Arne Neufang, Asier Olano and Joan Castells were honored with All-Tournament Team selections.

KEY MOMENTS

5' / 0-0 | The Roos earned the first corner kick of the day, playing it short and back to the edge of the attacking third. A looping cross was sent towards the back post, sailing over the crowd and out-of-bounds.
22' / 0-0 | Kansas City sustained a potent Denver attack early in the game, as Cade Martin made a defensive recovery to deflect a Pioneer shot.
28' / 0-0 | Denver's first chance on goal came from the right side of the box with a shot sent towards the upper-right corner. Cooper Clark was in perfect position to make a simple save.

28' | The Pioneers get the first chance on goal of the match, but @cooper_clark01 is wise to it and makes an easy save.#ROOUP | #DeclareKC pic.twitter.com/fpWn9PNLTV
— Kansas City Men's Soccer (@KCRoosMSoccer) November 12, 2022

41' / 0-1 | A corner kick late in the first half connected for Denver, as the ball was headed into the back of the net, giving DU an advantage entering the half.
49' / 0-1 | Another corner kick appeared dangerous for the Pioneers, but Joan Castells settled the ball and cleared it away.
65' / 0-1 | Kansas City got its first shot of the day, as a series of sharp passes opened up a lane for Christian Koffi. His shot was blocked, but the Roos retained possession, sending a cross into the box that was intercepted by the DU keeper.
72' / 0-1 | Castells kept KC from danger once again, stepping in at the last moment to block an open shot away from the goal.
78' / 0-3 | Denver struck twice within the span of four minutes, creating separation from the Roos.
90' / 0-3 | Kansas City's best chance of the day came in the final minute, as a ball was laid off to Koffi just outside of the box. He took a rip at the goal and placed his shot on-frame, but Denver's keeper made a diving save to secure the final score at 3-0.

STATS TO NOTE

Koffi, the Summit League leader in shots and shots on goal this season, took both of the Roos' lone two shots on the day.
Two shots was the fewest by KC since attempting just one shot in a loss at Missouri State on Oct. 12, 2021.
Clark made six saves on the day to finish his Kansas City career with 191 total saves, ranking fourth in program history.

THE SEASON, REVIEWED
In Head Coach Ryan Pore's third year at the helm, the Roos finish the year with a 7-5-5 record, the first winning season since 2010. KC's final win percentage of .559 marks the seventh-best win percentage in the program's 36-year history. Kazuki Kimura and Koffi finish with 15 points apiece on the year, tied for the most by a Roo since 2017. Clark finished his career by posting four shutouts this season, tied for the most for a Roo keeper since 2010. KC's future remains bright, as freshmen accounted for 5,536 minutes and made 57 combined starts on the year.