Time to deliver for Lopes

M Soccer

9-22-08

Time to deliver for Lopes

It's starting to sound like a broken record.

OK, we've established the fact Grand Canyon has traditionally been slow starters lately. But at this point a winwould be nice.

"We have overcome this situation in the past," said GCU assistant coach Carlos Gomez. "It's doable, but it's not what we wanted."

Grand Canyon (0-3-2) gets a chance Tuesday in its home opener to kick off league play against BYU-Hawaii (2-4) at 7 p.m. at GCU Soccer Complex.

"The problem right now is our offense," Gomez said. "We've been better on our offensive game little by little. We're creating chances. We just need our forwards and midfielders to step up and start scoring."

The Antelopes defense has allowed just one goal in every game. But the Lopes have been shut out in three of the five. Grand Canyon has been outshot 87-35 to this point. The Antelopes have not recorded a shutout this year.

"We are giving up several shots," goalkeeper Franco Carotenuto said. "But most of the shots are not on target."

Head coach Petar Draksin said some changes are in store. That means shuffling in the lineup to generate offense. Forwards Andrew Bailey, Nick Sykes and Julien Roberts (pictured) must take the lead role. Defender Bosko Jovicevic has one of the team's two goals this year. None of the forwards have scored.

"Drak really opened the eyes of some of the players," Carotenuto said. "Now the players are starting to want it more.

"I definitely see us coming on. We thought we were bigger than we were. We just have to come out and win our home games and go on a roll."

GCU plays its next seven games at home.

"We have to deal with it and get the job done," Gomez said. "There's no more excuses."

LOPES NOTES

Grand Canyon University Athletics

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