PHOTO GALLERY
GRANVILLE, Ohio (Sept. 27) –
Jake Krueger scored twice and assisted two other goals as the Denison University men's soccer team used a strong effort to record a 4-2 win over eighth-ranked Christopher Newport University in non-conference play Friday evening at Kienzle-Hylbert Stadium.
The win over a nationally ranked opponent gives Denison head coach
Brandon Bianco career win No. 100 for his collegiate coaching career. The victory improves the Big Red to 5-1-2 in 2024.
Christopher Newport, who entered the day ranked No. 8 in the latest United Soccer Coaches poll, lost for the first time in 2024. The Captains are now 5-1-3.
"This was a really good win against a quality opponent," Bianco said. "Christopher Newport made it hard on us all the way to the very end. Credit to our guys for playing for each other for 90 minutes and getting a strong result tonight."
Eli Taylor, who also scored twice, lifted the lid on the scoring in the 23rd minute of play. Taylor was able to finish a cross from Krueger to make it 1-0 Denison.
The Big Red needed just 59 seconds to add to its lead. Krueger was able to collect the ball and travel 40 yards before beating the CNU keeper with a low right finish. The Krueger goal extended the lead to 2-0 in the 24th minute of play.
The Captains were able to get on the board late in the half. A long cross from the far sideline by Jason LaViola found Matt Liss, who was able to tuck the ball into the back post. The CNU goal was able to momentarily thwart Denison's momentum as the lead was trimmed to 2-1 at the game's midway point.
Denison was able to regain a multi-goal cushion when Taylor found the back of the net in the 56th minute. Taylor was set up by a pair of nice passes from his teammates. A long past by
Ben Goeller found the head of Krueger who flicked the ball towards Taylor.
About eight minutes later Denison scored for a fourth time. Krueger was this time aided by an assist from
Zarius Eusebe. The goal, which came in the 64th minute, is the eighth of the season for Krueger.
The Captains were able to score in the 83rd minute to cut the Big Red's lead to 4-2. CNU seemed poised to make some late noise when they were awarded a penalty kick opportunity in the 86th minute. However, the visitor's efforts to make it a one-goal game were turned aside by
Tommy Prokos. The senior keeper made a diving save to preserve the two-goal advantage.
CNU held a 14-10 advantage in shots and a 10-7 edge in shots on goal. The Captains led 8-3 in corner kicks.
This marks the second-straight season that Denison has earned a win over an opponent ranked in the Top 10. The Big Red took down then-ranked No. 4 John Carroll last year on the road.
Denison returns to action on Sunday, Sept. 29 when Otterbein University travels to Granville for a 1 p.m. match.
