Three first-half goals propel 'Lopes to win

Sunday, November 1

W 4-0

3:30 p.m.

Grand Canyon

Dominican

11/1/2009 10:05:15 PM | Men's Soccer

M Soccer

11-1-09

Grand Canyon extended its lead in the Pacific West Conference with a 4-0 victory over visiting Dominican Sunday.

GCU (13-3-2, 10-1-1) scored three first-half goals from three different players to give it 31 points in the PacWest race with only two matches remaining.

Notre Dame de Namur (9-9-1, 9-2-1) has 28 points and comes to GCU Thursday for a 7:30 p.m. contest at the GCU Soccer Field. Teams are giving three points for a win and one for a tie. The Lopes can clinch the conference title Thursday.

Senior Jesse Baker (Lakeside, Ariz./Blue Ridge) opened the Lopes scoring on a header from junior Juan Mendez (Bolivia/Horizon) at the 10:33 mark of the first half.

Freshman Kyle Ciliento (Phoenix, Ariz./Pinnacle) scored the first of his two goals at the 17:25 mark off a rebound from a shot on goal by junior Pat Perkins (pictured, Bremerton, Wash./Bremerton). Perkins is tied with three others, including Ciliento, for the most assists (5) in the conference.

Prior to halftime, freshman Chris Green (Phoenix, Ariz./Thunderbird) was credited with a goal on a deflection from a long range rocket from Baker. Johnny Vieira (Amparo, Brazil/Barbosa) was also given an assist.

Ciliento added to his PacWest record goal total with his 20th of the season when he scored unassisted at the 73:08 mark for the match's final tally.

Goalkeeper Ben Paneccasio (Sydney, Australia/Roseban K College) had three saves and picked up his league-record best 10th shutout.

Dominican (7-11-1, 4-8-1) had just four shots, three on goal, while GCU had 15 and eight.
(Photo by Tim Koors)