SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — The MSU Denver men's soccer team opened the 2026 season in dramatic fashion Thursday, building a 2-0 lead before Western Oregon scored three unanswered goals in the final 20 minutes to earn a 3-2 victory.
The Roadrunners (0-1) outshot Western Oregon 13-11 and held a 6-2 advantage in corner kicks but were unable to hold off the Wolves after leading by two goals midway through the second half.
MSU Denver got on the board in the 38th minute when Jace Starling scored in his Roadrunner debut to give the Roadrunners a 1-0 lead.
The Roadrunners maintained their advantage through halftime and doubled the lead in the 56th minute. Ismael Reyes, also making his MSU Denver debut, scored off an assist from Colin McKenna to make it 2-0.
Western Oregon began its comeback in the 71st minute when Archie Dhima scored off an assist from Issak Abraham. Dhima struck again just under seven minutes later, converting a penalty kick in the 78th minute to tie the match at 2-2.
The Wolves completed the comeback in the 82nd minute when Ignacio Brandan scored the eventual game-winner off an assist from Dhima.
MSU Denver finished with a 13-11 advantage in shots, though Western Oregon placed eight shots on goal compared to four for the Roadrunners. Dominic Miller made five saves for MSU Denver, while Western Oregon goalkeeper Austin Valdez made two.
Reyes and Starling each finished with one goal and one shot on goal in their Roadrunner debuts. McKenna recorded the Roadrunners' lone assist.
The Roadrunners will look to bounce back Saturday when they return to action against Northwest Nazarene.
