Aug. 31, 2003

Box Score

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Freshman Vito Higgins recorded his first career shutout, and veterans Arni Ingi Pjetursson and Mike Herzog combined for the lone goal as Gonzaga University defeated Denver University 1-0 Sunday to claim the crown in the Parents Weekend Invitational hosted by the Air Force Academy.

Freshman Grant Lundberg, who scored two goals in Friday's 5-3 win over the host Falcons, was named the Defensive MVP for the tournament. Colin Eames of Air Force, who had a goal and four assists in the two matches, was named the Offensive MVP.

The win gave Gonzaga a 2-0 start for the season with the Bulldogs home opener Thursday against Cal State Monterey Bay the only action for the upcoming week. Kickoff Thursday is 4 p.m. on Martin Soccer Field. Denver fell to 0-2 after dropping the tournament opener 2-1 to Marquette University on Friday. Air Force and Marquette each went 1-1, but the Falcons claimed second based on Sunday's g8-0 thrashing of Marquette.

Pjetursson took a pass from Herzog and curled a shot over Pioneers keeper Philip Zaranka at 25:15. Higgins and the Bulldogs made the goal stand up for the victory. The goal was the first for the native of Iceland since 2001. After scoring five goals that season he was held without a goal last season as opponents forced him to take a majority of his shots from long range and defended him well inside the 18, his only points of 2002 coming on two assists.

Higgins, from Kailua, HI, who also played Friday's season-opening 5-3 win over the host Falcons, stopped six shots as the Pioneers held a 16-10 shots advantage over the Bulldogs. Gonzaga had four shots on goal, Denver six.