NORTHWESTERN SOCCER VS. NO. 13/15 DENVER
DATE	OPPONENT	TIME	LOCATION	LIVE STATS	WATCH
Sept. 2	No. 13/15 Denver	3 p.m. CT	Evanston, Ill.	Stat Broadcast	BTN
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EVANSTON, Ill. — Northwestern will wrap up a three-game homestand on Friday afternoon when it welcomes No. 13/15 Denver for a 3 p.m. CT kick at Martin Stadium.

Friday's match will be televised nationally on the Big Ten Network with Dan Kelly and Chris Doran on the call.

Northwestern enters the contest having received votes in the latest College Soccer News – Top 30 National Poll after splitting decisions with Florida Gulf Coast (W, 2-1) and Santa Clara (L, 1-0) to open the campaign.

Denver (1-0-1) played Monmouth to a 1-1 draw to open 2016, before claiming its first victory of the season in the form of a 1-0 victory over Rutgers on Aug. 28. Graham Smith and Alex Underwood have each found the back of the net once for the Pioneers, while Reagan Dunk (2), Andre Shinyashiki (1) and Chandler Crosswait (1) have registered assists.

Nick Garder has seen all the action in net and has posted nine saves.

Senior Brandon Medina scored both of Northwestern's goals from the penalty spot in the Wildcats' season-opening win over the Eagles. The #B1GCats have yet to surrender a goal in the flow of the match as both tallies that have come against Northwestern have been penalty kicks.

Elo Ozumba paces the club in shots with four, including two that have been on net. Getenet Tuji has also tallied a pair of shots on target in the opening matches.

Goalkeeper Francisco Tomasino has played all 180 minutes in net and has five saves.

LAST SEASON'S STORY
Northwestern finished the 2015 campaign with a 7-9-2 record overall and a 4-4 mark in conference play, which tied the team for third in the Big Ten standings. Joey Calistri, who is currently a member of Major League Soccer's Chicago Fire, was the team's leader in points with 12 (3g, 6a). Calistri finished his career in tie for second on Northwestern's all-time goals list (30) and fourth in career points with 74.

The Wildcats will have a new man between the pipes this season as Zak Allen, who started and played all 18 matches in 2015, graduated. Junior Francisco Tomasino and redshirt freshmen Braden Thuraisingham and Robbie White are in line to replace Allen.

The #B1GCats return their next top five point-getters from a season ago in Mike Roberge (9; 4g, 1a), Elo Ozumba (6; 3g), Jeffrey Hopson (5; 1g, 3 a), Nathan Dearth (4; 1g, 2a) and Camden Buescher (4; 1g, 2a).

THE SEASON AHEAD
Northwestern will play ten home games in 2016 at the new Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium and seven contests against 2015 NCAA Tournament teams. Six of Northwestern's 2016 foes appeared in the NSCAA's Preseason Poll, including No. 4 Maryland, No. 9 Notre Dame, No. 15 Indiana, No. 18 Ohio State, No. 20 Denver and No. 25 Rutgers. Florida Gulf Coast and Santa Clara received votes in the poll.

HEEEEE'S BACK
Senior Brandon Medina returns to the pitch in 2016 after missing last year with a leg injury. In 29 career games , Medina has accounted for 18 points on four goals and 10 assists. Two of Medina's four career goals have been game-winners.

BIG TEN PRESEASON HONORS
Along with Medina, Dearth and fellow senior Jeffrey Hopson have earned Big Ten Preseason Honors.

Dearth has started and played in every game the last two seasons. He is the returning minutes leader from the 2015 team, where he finished the campaign with a goal and two assists. The Pittsburgh, Pa., native was an Academic All-Big Ten honoree and Big Ten Distinguished Scholar in 2015.

Hopson enters his final campaign in Purple having played in every game during his career (58) and has started in 42 consecutive games. He tallied a career-high three assists in 2015 and chipped in a goal in the season opener against Colgate.

THE CAPTAINS
Coach Lenahan has named Dearth, Hopson and Medina as the team's captains heading into the 2016 campaign.

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Northwestern and No. 13/15 Denver Battle at Martin Stadium

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Next Event

Players Mentioned

Brandon Medina

Elo Ozumba

Francisco Tomasino

Getenet Tuji

Northwestern University Athletics

Northwestern and No. 13/15 Denver Battle at Martin Stadium

••••••

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Brandon Medina

Elo Ozumba

Francisco Tomasino

Getenet Tuji

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