Junior midfielder Karsten Hanlin of the University of Denver soccer team has a knack for delivering in the clutch. Three of his four goals have been game-winners in DU’s 12-0-3 record. He also has scored the goal or an assist in four of DU’s last five game-winning scores.
What’s his secret?
“I would say that part of it is being in the right place at the right time,” Hanlin said. “But it takes a lot of hard work to get to that spot.”
Pioneer coach Jamie Franks doesn’t accept the idea that Hanlin’s success has anything to do with luck.
“Karsten has the ability to do whatever he wants to do,” Franks said. “He sees the game differently than others and he’s viewed as our most talented player. Special players don’t let pressure get to them. He’s a special player, and we’re going to continue asking him to score big goals.”
Hanlin will accept the task but deflects credit to his teammates.
“Whatever has happened is a testament to our whole team,” Hanlin said. “We don’t cave in under pressure.”
Hanlin got an early start on becoming the player he is today.
“I started playing soccer when I was 4,” he said after practice this past week. “I attended the Colorado Rapids Academy, and that helped me grow as a player.”
The 6-foot, 160-pounder continued his soccer career at Cherry Creek High School, where he was a standout on the Bruins’ state championship team as a junior.
Franks has the Pioneers humming along in his first season as coach. At 29, he’s one of the youngest head coaches in collegiate soccer.
“Age is just a number,” Franks said. “What counts is experience. This is my 10th year in college soccer. I know what it takes to win. We play a pressing style of soccer. We really don’t play a true formation system, and that confuses our opponents.”
The Pioneers closed out the regular season Saturday night with a 1-0 win at IPFW in Summit League play and return home to play host to the Summit League Tournament starting Friday.
DU takes a 27-match home unbeaten streak into the semifinal against Western Illinois.
Irv Moss: 303-954-1296, imoss@denverpost.com or @irvmoss
