Denver Stung Again in NCAA Second Round Loss to Portland

Denver Stung on Penalty Kicks Again, Falls to Portland in NCAA Second Round

In last season’s NCAA College Cup, the University of Denver and Vermont ended in a 1-1 tie after regulation and two 10-minute overtime periods. This year, the story repeated itself painfully, with Denver again exiting the NCAA tournament on penalty kicks—this time against the University of Portland in the second round.

Match Summary

The match remained level through regular time and overtime, as both sides created several scoring opportunities but failed to break the deadlock. Portland’s goalkeeper made crucial saves to keep Denver off the scoreboard, while Denver's defense held firm until the final whistle.

When the game went to penalty kicks, the Pioneers couldn’t convert enough of their attempts, allowing Portland to advance. This marked the second consecutive year Denver’s season concluded in the same heartbreaking fashion.

Postgame Reaction

Denver’s coaching staff and players expressed pride in their performance but frustration at the outcome. The coaching team highlighted the squad’s resilience and noted that penalty shootouts often come down to narrow margins rather than overall play.

“We gave everything we had tonight,” one Denver player said. “Losing this way again is tough, but we’ll come back stronger.”

Season Reflection

Despite the early exit, the Pioneers enjoyed a strong season, showing consistent play throughout conference competition and earning another NCAA tournament berth. Their defensive organization and patience on the ball remained defining characteristics, though converting chances in key moments continued to be a challenge.

Author’s summary: Denver’s NCAA journey ended once more on penalties, reflecting both the team’s consistency and its bittersweet struggle to finish crucial moments.

more

LetsGoDU LetsGoDU — 2025-11-24

More News