Lopes blank 4th straight opponent, end HPU's streak

M Soccer

10-17-08

At the beginning of the season, Grand Canyon was touted as one of the best teams in the nation, thanks in large part to its defense.

After a rough start, the Antelopes defense has begun to shine. GCU shut out its fourth straight opponent in Friday night's 3-0 win over Hawai'i Pacific at GCU Soccer Complex. It ended a five-game unbeaten streak for HPU, which fell for the first time in the Pacific West Conference this year.

GCU (5-3-3, 4-0-1 PacWest) has went unbeaten in six straight games. HPU (6-4-1, 4-1) had won its previous four.

"Pretty much this is one of the most important games because they were 4-0," said GCU's Dusan Radisavljevic. "We put them below us. Now we are on track."

The Antelopes kept pace with Notre Dame de Namur atop the PacWest standings, and will host Hawaii-Hilo at 4 p.m. Sunday to complete the first half of the conference schedule.

Radisavljevic scored the game's first goal on a header off a corner kick from Antonio Valera less than three minutes into the game.

"The goal came at the right moment," Radisavljevic said. "We started this game better than the previous three games."

It was Radisavljevic's second gamewinning goal of the year.

Nick Sykes (pictured) added his third goal of the year on a header on a cross from Anthony Whitlatch in the 42nd minute. Bosko Jovicevic also had an assist on the play. That put the Antelopes, who were whistled for five off-sides infractions, ahead 2-0.

Patrick Perkins scored his third goal of the season on an assist from Julien Roberts at the 80:44 mark.

Hawai'i Pacific outshot Grand Canyon 12-6, forcing GCU goalkeeper Franco Carotenuto to make five saves.

"We have the best defense in the region," Radisavljevic said. "Franco had a terrific night."

Grand Canyon University Athletics

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