Men's Soccer Loses Hard-Fought Battle with Seattle Pacific

Monday, October 12

L 0-1

7:30 p.m.

Grand Canyon

Seattle Pacific

Men's Soccer Loses Hard-Fought Battle with Seattle Pacific

10/12/2009 11:38:17 PM | Men's Soccer

M Soccer

10-12-09

Men's Soccer Loses Hard-Fought Battle with Seattle Pacific

There were more yellow cards than combined shots on goal as the Grand Canyon University (GCU) men's soccer team lost a hard-fought, 1-0 game to Seattle Pacific University (SPU) tonight at the GCU Soccer Field.

Both teams entered the game with only one loss, the Antelopes with a 9-0-1 overall record and 7-0 in the Pacific West Conference and the Falcons at 8-1-3 overall, 2-1-1 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. GCU had a nine-game winning streak, and although SPU had won only two consecutive games after losing it had a nine-game unbeaten streak of its own earlier in the season. The 'Lopes are No. 17 nationally and No. 3 in the West region in the current NSCAA Division II National Rankings. The Falcons are right behind them at No. 25 and No. 4, respectively.

This was a Big Game, and it lived up to expectations.

SPU had two shots in the first half, one more than GCU. Both teams had three shots in the second period. The teams combined for only six shots on goal in the game. Only one of those shots found the back of the net -- a breakaway goal at 50:31 by Falcons midfielder Tyler Schultz, a Scottsdale native who played at Pinnacle High School in Phoenix with GCU freshman sensation Kyle Ciliento. Midfielder Drew Schultz assisted on the play.

Ciliento, the reigning PacWest Player of the Week who had scored six goals in the past two games, had just one shot in the game.

The 'Lopes had an 8-1 advantage in corner kicks, but also had 11 fouls compared to the Falcons' eight.

"This was a crucial game to win at home," GCU head coach Petar Draksin said. "I felt that we didn't have the energy and determination to put on the field to win a game like this. Our speed of thought and speed of play was very slow. We made one mistake and they capitalized on it. Unfortunately because in NCAA Division II there are no automatic bids for conference winners, a game like this can cost you from advancing to the NCAA playoffs. We're having a great season, but unfortunately you can have one or two losses and still not make the NCAA playoffs. We have to understand the importance of winning non-conference games.

"Obviously, I am proud of the season our young men are having, but we're disappointed with tonight's performance. Now we just have to come back to winning ways for the rest of the season, and wait and see what other teams will do against each other."

The 'Lopes next game is on Nov. 22 against Chaminade in Honolulu, Hawaii.

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