Bulldogs venture to Colorado for games against Air Force and No. 11 Denver

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University men's soccer team heads to the Centennial State for its most challenging weekend of the season, taking on the United States Air Force Academy on Friday and 11th ranked Denver on Sunday.

Both matchups will mark the first for the Bulldogs (0-3) against either opponent. The trip to Colorado is also the furthest West that the program has traveled since it transitioned to Division I in 2008.

Matchup with Air Force

Entering their home opener, the Falcons (1-2) are led by sophomore midfielder Tucker Bone and junior forward Abinadi Samayoa with two and four points, respectively. Senior defender Cameron Duley and junior goalkeeper John Wendt have each tallied an assist. Overall, the Air Force offense has netted just three goals in as many games and the team is coming off a tough double-overtime loss to Cal State Northridge in Albuquerque, N.M.

Wendt may have one of the eight Falcon points, but the go-to man between the posts has been somewhat unsettled through three games. Wendt has logged 12 saves in 192 minutes of action, and he has a .706 save percentage. Senior netminder Jake Schenk logged a complete-game shutout with a pair of saves against Cal Poly on September, 2 in the team's only win.

Duley and classmate A.J. Esparza headline the backline, as the two have combined to miss just one of 38 games since their sophomore campaigns in 2014.

Matchup with No. 11 Denver

The contest with Denver will mark just the second time Bryant has faced a ranked opponent, with the first being then-No. 7 Providence in the 2015 season opener. Denver returns nine starters from the 2015 team that concluded the year ranked 19th in the country with an overall record of 15-1-3, 5-0-1 in the Summit League.

The Pioneers (3-0-1) were picked to win their fourth-straight Summit League title prior to the season thanks to the return of their top four scorers. Also playing in their home opener, sophomore forward Andre Shinyashiki and junior midfielder Alex Underwood will lead this year's squad with four points apiece after finishing second and third on the team in points last year, respectively.

Senior mid Chandler Crosswait has tallied three points on three assists to sit eighth in the nation, while five additional Pioneers have added two points. Amongst those scorers are last year's leading point producer, senior mid Karsten Hanlin, 2015 Summit League First Teamers, junior defender Kortne Ford and senior mid Sam Hamilton and 2015 Summit League Defensive Player of the Year, senior Reagan Dunk.

Dunk, the NSCAA Second Team All-America selection, headlines a deep and talented backline. Ford joins Dunk along with 2015 Summit League Second Team selection, Scott DeVoss. And though only two players were lost to graduation, one of those departures was senior keeper Dan Jackson. Sophomore Nick Gardner has taken over in the box, and he has done well. Playing all 380 minutes thus far, the first-year starter has made 12 saves, allowed three goals and sports a .800 save percentage.

Friday's matchup against the Falcons gets under way at 7:00 p.m. EST. Live stats and the live stream can found on GoAirForceFalcons.com. Live Stats / Video

Sunday's September 11 contest with the Pioneers is scheduled to start at 9:00 p.m. EST. Both live stats and the live stream can be found on DenverPioneers.com. Live Stats / Video