GCU Wins Nail Biter in Conference Opener

Saturday, September 19

W 1-0

7:30 p.m.

Grand Canyon

Dixie State College

9/19/2009 11:36:42 PM | Men's Soccer

M Soccer

9-19-09

GCU Wins Nail Biter in Conference Opener

The Grand Canyon University (GCU) men's soccer team, ranked No. 20 in the nation and No. 3 in the West region in this week's NSCAA Division II National Rankings, won a nail biter over Dixie State College, 1-0, in its Pacific West Conference opener tonight at the GCU Soccer Field.

Freshman forward Kyle Ciliento (pictured, Phoenix, AZ/Pinnacle)scored the game winner at 86:27, drilling a shot from the left side. Redshirt freshman midfielder Chris Green (Phoenix, AZ/Thunderbird) had the assist. It was the seventh goal of the season for Ciliento, who leads the PacWest in goals, goals per game, points and points per game. He also was tied for first in game-winning goals entering the game with two.

The Antelopes (4-1-1, 1-0) had 11 shots in the second half and 13 for the game. The Red Storm (2-2-1, 0-1) had just five total.

Dixie State's Tyler McAnich was outstanding in goal, registering five saves, four of them in the second half. GCU junior goakeeper Ben Paneccasio (Sydney, Australia/Roseban K College) also played very well, making two saves and recording his fourth win and second shutout of the season. He and junior goalkeeper Kyle Pearsall(Phoenix, AZ/Mountain Pointe) combined on a 4-0 shutout of Western Washington on Monday.

The 'Lopes will hit the road later this week, traveling to the Bay Area to play Academy of Art at 3 p.m. on Saturday and Notre Dame de Namur at 4 p.m. (both Phoenix times) on Monday.

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