DENVER, Colo. — Playing their third straight game outside the state of California, the No. 25 San Diego men's soccer team (1-1-1, 0-0-0 WCC) picked up a come-from-behind 3-2 road victory over No. 21 Denver (1-2-0, 0-0-0 Summit) on Thursday evening from the University of Denver Soccer Stadium. 

Simon Duus Muller had a fantastic evening in the Mile High City as he recorded his first career brace as he buried a pair of penalty kicks to put USD over the top. With San Diego down a goal late in the first half, Owen Walz scored an impressive left-footed goal high above the out-stretched arm of the Pioneers' keeper. 

In goal, Adam Salama overcame a pair of early Denver goals by holding the Pioneers off the scoreboard in the final 50 minutes of game action as he totaled four saves on the evening. 

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• Following a 55 minute delay due to lightning in the area, the Toreros got off to a quick start as Luca Fava delivered a strong shot that was just high of the cage. 
• Denver would get on the board five minutes into the match as they took an early 1-0 lead on their home pitch. 
• After that early goal from the Pioneers, the Toreros were able to earn a foul in the box to set up Duus Mueller for a free kick. In his third career chance, he buried a rocket into the left side of the net and well past the keeper to even the score at the 36 minute mark. 
• Creating another quality chance, the Denver offense went on the attack and scored four minutes later as they took a 2-1 lead late in the first half.
• Using every single second left on the clock, the Toreros capitalized off of a set piece as Walz battled inside along with a collection of Toreros and lifted a shot with his left foot into the back of the net to even the score at two apiece with just 12 seconds before the break. 
• Coming out in the second half, Noah James helped create a strong scoring opportunity for San Diego but his shot was just left of the post and the game remained level. 
• Following another Pioneer foul in the box, Duus Mueller was presented another opportunity to score a big goal for USD and he netted his first career brace at the 56 minute mark putting the Toreros ahead for good. 
• Denver didn't let up as they worked to pick up the tie at home, as they recorded five more shots in the remaining 34 minutes of play but couldn't get one past Salama and the USD back line as the Toreros picked up the road upset victory on Thursday evening. 

TORERO TIDBITS

• With the win tonight in Denver, San Diego has lost just one road match dating back to October 22, 2023. 
• Duus Mueller scored his fourth career penalty kick goal tonight as he's yet to miss one during his USD tenure.
• Walz scored his second career goal tonight and his first since the 2023 season, as the San Diego senior defender played the full 90 minutes in the high altitude. 
• Devin Dillon and Godwin Antwi each played key minutes off the Torero bench and registered their first collegiate assists on Walz's goal. 
• Taj Eagleston made his first collegiate start in Thursday's match in Denver.
• Providing a spark off of the bench, Conner Gardenhour played in his first collegiate game totaling 45 minutes in USD's road upset of the Pioneers. 

UP NEXT
The Toreros now look forward to their first regular season match in San Diego as they will take on San Diego State (2-1-0, 0-0-0 MW) on Monday, September 1 at 5:00 p.m. from Snapdragon Stadium. Links for tickets, live stream and live statistics can be found via the team's website.