Box Score

DENVER â€" Gonzaga's men's soccer team tied the match in the second half at No. 8 Denver, but the Pioneers scored on a penalty kick in the 53rd minute to win 2-1 on Monday in Denver, Colo.

Junior Alec Johnson scored his first-career goal on a deflection after a free kick from Colton Cavey to tie the game 1-1 in the 49th minute. Only four minutes later, Denver earned a penalty kick and converted it to take the win, stay undefeated and likely preserve its top-10 ranking.

"They were a good team, and we played with them for the most part," head coach Einar Thorarinsson said. "We had to overcome that slow start, giving up a goal early, and chase the game a little bit. We had our moments, but the penalty was a big call. It wasn't an outstanding game from us, but we switched up the lineup the last 20 minutes and put a lot of pressure on them. I liked how the team responded being down a goal, but we've got to start faster."

Denver got the scoring started in the fifth minute on a goal from Andre Shinyashiki, which ended up being the Pioneers' only shot on goal for the entire game, other than the penalty kick. The first half featured just four total shots by each team, with only the one on goal.

In the second half, Gonzaga (5-4-1) outshot the Pioneers 7-2 overall and 3-0 on goal. The first came off the deflection from Johnson, who just got a piece of the ball with his head on a free kick from Cavey on the left side of the field. The goal was the first of Johnson's career at Gonzaga, while Cavey picked up his second assist of the season.

Down the stretch, the Zags gave themselves multiple chances, but couldn't convert. Inside the final minute, Conner Bevans nearly played a perfect volley off his chest, but the right-footed shot sailed high.

Gonzaga is halfway through its six-game roadtrip and will officially kick off its West Coast Conference schedule on Sunday, Oct. 11 at Portland. The match is set for 1 p.m. against the Pilots.