FREDERICKSBURG, VA - In the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Division III men’s soccer tournament, No. 10 Denison (15-2-6) fell 2-1 to Connecticut Col. (13-2-6) in a hard-fought battle to advance to the final four. With the loss, the Big Red closed out their historic 2024 campaign, which included a share of the NCAC title and an at-large bid to the national stage, with the program's first quarterfinal appearance since 1979.
CONNECTICUT COL. (13-2-6) 2, DENISON (15-2-6) 1
- In the quarterfinal match of the NCAA Division III Men’s Soccer Tournament, Denison’s offensive unit was quick to apply pressure to the Connecticut Col. backline as senior Jake Krueger (Wilmette, IL/New Trier Township) fired the first shot of the game at the 5:48 mark.
- Just two minutes later, junior Kameron Kist (New Albany, OH/New Albany), on an offensive break away, sent a shot attempt toward the Camel’s goal, but Connecticut’s Peter Silvester recorded a save to keep Denison off the board.
- The Big Red offense garnered three corner kicks during the 12 minute mark of play. On the third attempt, junior Henri Heyes (New Albany, OH/New Albany) was able to sneak a goal past the Camel backline thanks to an assist by Kist.
- Conn. Col. flipped the script after Denison went up 1-0 as the Camels gained control of the ball and held the Big Red shotless for over 16 minutes. Elliot Spatz then registered back-to-back goals, scoring at the 29:59 and 35:44 marks, to give the Camels a 2-1 lead with just over 10 minutes remaining in the period.
- Krueger sent Denison’s first shot after the break wide while Connecticut Col. had four attempts at the Big Red’s goal, one of which was saved by senior goalkeeper Tommy Prokos (Park Ridge, IL/Maine South).
- Denison continued to challenge Connecticut’s one goal lead as senior Corey Brunner (Collegeville, PA/Malvern Prep) sent two shots while sophomore Jack Rice (Lake Bluff, IL/Lake Forest) had one attempt toward the Camel’s net, but Silvester scooped up a save on each of the Big Red’s shots.
- Starting at the 76:50 mark, Prokos deflected three Camel attacks to keep Connecticut Col. from extending its lead and giving Denison an opportunity to tie the game.
- Denison’s final attempt to score the equalizer came in the final seconds of the game as the Big Red tried to convert off of a throw-in, but Silvester was there to make a stop once again.
- Prokos finished the game with his second-straight six save performance while Heyes and Phil Koutsaftis (Mamaroneck, NY/Mamaroneck) shared a team-high two shots on goal.