Antelopes prepare for crucial trip

M Soccer

9-13-08

Antelopes prepare for crucial trip

Andrew Bailey was like the calm before the storm.

"It's not time to panic," GCU's senior forward said. "We can only get better from here on in."

Grand Canyon will need to get better in a hurry if it has any designs to validate the preseason hype the Antelopes received. Gone is the No. 20 national ranking. Gone is a spot in the West Region rankings.

That's what an 0-2 start will do.

But for the past few years, the Antelopes have been notorious for starting slow and picking it up a few games into the season. Last year, they had only one goal in their first three games. This year, they've been goose-egged to this point.

"We know we have issues in the offensive third," coach Petar Draksin said. "We've been working on it. When you struggle in the offensive third, you try different things. We've been focusing on that. The emphasis has been not turning the ball over. We'll see. The young men have to respond."

Grand Canyon (0-2) gets a chance to right the ship when it meets Seattle Pacific (1-3-2) on the road at 7 p.m. Monday. That will start a three-game road trip in Washington. GCU will meet Western Washington (2-3) on Wednesday at 7 p.m. and St. Martin's (0-5) on Friday at 1 p.m. St. Martin's plays Whitman College on Sunday.

GCU's biggest issue has been an inability to generate offense. The Antelopes have been outshot 31-7 thus far. They rank last in the conference in nearly every offensive category.

Something has to change.

"I think it's just us not having enough game practice," Bailey said. "It's been a problem for the last three years. It's really disappointing to start like this and to fall out of the top 25. But it's too early. We still have 18 games to play."

Last year, the 'Lopes managed two ties against Seattle Pacific. They lost on a late penalty kick at Western Washington before beating the Vikings at home. GCU has never played St. Martin's. And while it appears Seattle Pacific and Western Washington are struggling, Draksin warns looks can be deceiving.

"These teams are not losing to just anybody," he said. "They're losing to top programs."

Western Washington has dropped three games to Top 20 teams, one that went into overtime. Seattle Pacific has had three games against Top 25 teams.

"Getting a win against Pacific would be huge," Bailey said. "Against Western Washington, I think there's still some open wounds from last year losing on that penalty kick.

"Three other players besides myself, Bosko (Jovicevic), Fito (Collazo) and Jordan (Demos) have brought our program from a sub-.500 team to where it is today. We know how important it is. These new players do listen. Everyone needs to stand out. Anything less than two wins is a disappointing trip for us."

The Antelopes should have a more complete lineup when they take the field Monday. Jovicevic (pictured) didn't play much in the first two games due to preseason injuries. Midfielder Jose Robles is close to 100 percent, following a preseason injury. Midfielders Brian Green and Joshua Ademosu should be cleared to play as well. Their presence was virtually non-existent in the season-opening California trip.

"We're a different team once we get those guys back," Draksin said.

But now that they're back, they have to deliver. This is make or break time for the 'Lopes.

"We must get two wins up there, but three wins would be incredible," Draksin said. "We know it's not going to be easy, but we're going to go after it."

LOPE NOTES: Draksin is expected to name his starting goalkeeper for the SPU game on Sunday. ... Kyle Pearsall and Franco Carotenuto are battling for the job. ... GCU will leave early Monday and check into its Seattle area hotel before playing that night. ... The Antelopes have yet to play a home game, but will do so when BYU-Hawaii visits town on Sept. 23.

NOTES

Grand Canyon University Athletics

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