Kisoka's 90th Minute Miracle Lifts Roos to Summit League Championship Title

Saturday, November 16

Denver, CO

3:00 PM

Kansas City

12-4-3, 5-2-1

Denver

12-3-4, 7-1-0

Kansas City

Denver

Photo by: Kansas City Athletics

Kisoka's 90th Minute Miracle Lifts Roos to Summit League Championship Title

11/16/2024 7:34:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score Highlights Coach Pore Postgame Le Bourdoulous Postgame Photo Gallery

Julien Le Bourdoulous was named Championship MVP, assisting on both goals and giving KC its first NCAA berth in 16 years

DENVER, Colo. - It felt like destiny. There was no other way that the Summit League Championship should end. Julien Le Bourdoulous stepped up to take a corner with seconds running off the clock. He sent a beautiful ball above the heads of multiple Denver defenders. The ball found the foot of Elie Kisoka. Yes, that Elie Kisoka. The one with five game-winning goals. The Summit League Offensive Player of the Year. He sent a one-time shot past three defenders and the Denver goalie, finding the back of the net with just 13 seconds remaining to send Kansas City Men's Soccer (12-4-3, 5-2-1 Summit) into the NCAA Tournament, 2-1.

It was a battle throughout between the Roos and top-seeded (No. 4/2) Pios (12-3-4, 7-1-0 Summit), the third time this season that the two sides had gone head-to-head. Denver struck first, scoring in the 14th minute, but the Roos would equalize on a Bryson Gosch goal before the half came to a close.

The sides traded punches to begin the second half and the increased intensity of the match was palpable. A red card was shown to the Pioneers in the 73rd minute, giving the Roos a one-man advantage and setting the stage for Kisoka's 90th-minute magic.

Kansas City qualifies to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2008 and the fourth time in program history. For Head Coach Ryan Pore, the weight of the past two seasons is finally lifted, winning his first conference championship in his third-straight finals appearance. Le Bourdoulous assisted on both of Kansas City's goals, earning Championship MVP honors. In addition, Gosch, Kisoka and Miguel Fernandez were given All-Tournament Team recognition.

KEY MOMENTS | HIGHLIGHTS

14' / 0-1 | Kansas City earned a chance on a free kick, with Fernandez taking a shot that was blocked away. This sparked a counter attack for the Pioneers with DU's Sam Bassett scoring the opening goal.
28' / 1-1 | Jeremy Francou sent a ball out wide to Brevyn Cole, who sent a left-footed cross into the box and found Kisoka for the Roos first shot on goal. The shot was saved by Summit League Goalkeeper of the Year Isaac Nehme, but resulted in a corner kick for KC. Le Bourdoulous put an in-swinging ball into the box, finding the head of Guille Munoz. Munoz headed the ball down and found Gosch, who guided the ball into the net for an equalizer.

A set piece of beauty ??@julienlebourdo6 ?? @gmunoozv1 ?? @gosch_bryson https://t.co/2vBJRUNCST pic.twitter.com/7MKjznoBIw
— Kansas City Soccer (@KCRoosMSoccer) November 16, 2024

43' / 1-1 | The Pioneers applied some pressure at the end of the first half, earning a corner kick. Brandon McGaugh came out of the goal and punched the kick away, allowing the Roos to enter the break even with DU.
73' / 1-1 | Denver attempted to switch the field, but Mathias Baucher was there to make a sliding stop and block the ball away. Before he could return to his feet, DU's Ian Smith took a step on his leg, prompting a VAR review. Following a longer look, Smith was shown a red card and sent off.
90' / 2-1 | Hector Taboada earned the final corner kick for KC, settling the ball and sending a shot towards goal that was deflected out of bounds by a defender. Le Bourdoulous took his time getting over to the corner, not taking his kick until just 20 seconds remained. This one was an out-swinging service, finding Kisoka on the edge of the six-yard box. Kisoka reared back and let the ball loose, going between the legs of one defender, by two others and into the netting for a game-winner.

ELIE WITH A CHAMPIONSHIP WINNING GOAL ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?@Elie_Kisoka https://t.co/i73Ku0AVbB pic.twitter.com/3htYVgb5wE
— Kansas City Soccer (@KCRoosMSoccer) November 16, 2024

STATS TO NOTE

Kansas City qualifies for the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2008 and the fourth time in program history with the other two coming in 2001 and 2003.
The Roos have handed Denver two of their three losses this season, both coming with the Pios ranked in the United Soccer Coaches top-five. It marks the first time that Kansas City has gone for two top-five wins in the same season in program history.
Kansas City has proven to be a top-seed slayer, beating #1 Oral Roberts in the semifinals in 2022, advancing past #1 Denver in the semifinals last year and taking down #1 Denver in the finals today. It marks the first time in Mid-Con/Summit League history that a team has taken down the top seed in three-straight conference tournaments.
Le Bourdoulous becomes the first Roo to win Championship MVP since Ken Cooper in 2008. His two assists are tied for the most by a player in a Championship game in league history.
Kisoka's game-winner was his sixth on the year, tying him with Akron's Emil Jaaskellainen for the most in the NCAA.
Gosch's goal was his first on the season, making him the 17th goal-scorer on the year for the Roos.

POSTGAME INTERVIEWS
Head Coach Ryan Pore | Julien Le Bourdoulous

UP NEXT
The Roos have clinched a postseason berth in the NCAA Tournament, and will wait to see who they play in the Tournament Selection Show, being held on Monday at 12 p.m. on NCAA.com.