Ciliento Scores Hat Trick, GCU Shuts Out Hawai'i-Hilo

Thursday, October 8

W 3-0

7:30 p.m.

Grand Canyon

University of Hawai'i at Hilo

10/9/2009 10:29:56 AM | Men's Soccer

M Soccer

10-8-09

Ciliento Scores Hat Trick, GCU Shuts Out Hawai'i-Hilo

It was just another day at the office for Kyle Ciliento. The freshman forward (pictured, Phoenix, AZ/Pinnacle)scored all three goals in the game to lead the Grand Canyon University (GCU) men's soccer team to a 3-0 shutout of Hawai'i-Hilo tonight at the GCU Soccer Field. He has 12 goals in the Antelopes' first 11 games and leads the Pacific West Conference in goals, goals per game, points, points per game and game-winning goals.

Both teams had undefeated conference records (5-0 for GCU, 3-0 for Hawai'i-Hilo), so it was expected to be a close game. But Ciliento scored on a penalty kick at 28:03 and had an unassisted goal at 54:37 to take the steam out of the Vulcans. He notched his third goal at 66:21 off an assist from junior midfielder/forward Pat Perkins(Bremerton, WA/Bremerton).

The 'Lopes, No. 17 in the nation and No. 3 in the West region in the current NSCAA National Rankings, raised their record to 9-1-1 overall, 6-0 in the PacWest. The Vulcans fell to 4-6, 3-1.

Ciliento had five of GCU's six shots on goal in the game. The other was by freshman midfielder Nathan Wasson (Chandler, AZ/Hamilton).

'Lopes junior goalkeeper Ben Paneccasio (Sydney, Australia/Roseban K College), the reigning PacWest Player of the Week, made one save in recording his ninth win and conference-leading sixth shutout of the season.

GCU hosts Chaminade at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday at the GCU Soccer Field.

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