DENVER, Colo. – Kansas City’s season ended with a 4-2 defeat to Denver in the Summit League Men’s Soccer Championship title game Monday evening, marking the second time in three years the Pioneers have claimed the conference crown. Despite the loss, the Roos‘ strong season-finishing with an 11-3-5 record and a No. 20 RPI-positions them as a likely at-large bid recipient for the NCAA Tournament.
Jeremy Francou provided both goals for Kansas City, earning him a spot on the All-Summit League Tournament Team alongside teammates Wade Muttitt and Marc Popow. Denver opened the scoring early with a goal from Keegan Kelly, capitalizing on a long ball over the roos’ defense. Francou leveled the score with a penalty kick conversion after drawing a foul in the box, but Denver regained the lead before halftime with a penalty kick of their own.
The Pioneers extended their advantage in the second half with goals from Will King (64th minute) and Kyle McGowan (67th minute, penalty kick). Francou scored his second goal of the match in the 74th minute, heading in a service from Miguel Fernandez, but Kansas City couldn’t find the equalizer despite a flurry of late activity, including a season-high tying 10 substitutions.
The Roos will discover their NCAA Tournament fate during the selection show on Monday, Nov. 17, streamed live on ncaa.com. This marks the third consecutive season Kansas City has competed for the Summit League title, having previously won in 2022.
