Completed Event: Men's Soccer versus Eastern Arizona on August 16, 2025 ,
M Soccer
vs Eastern Arizona
Grand Canyon University Athletics
Monday, October 31
Phoenix, AZ
5:30 p.m.
Grand Canyon
1
vs
0
California Baptist
Despite the best efforts of Alex Connally (10) and Cordero Young (16), the 'Lopes were unable to get a ball past California Baptist goalkeeper Joey Pacheco (right).
California Baptist Downs GCU, 1-0
10/31/2011 7:57:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Freshman forward Michael Salazar scored off a rebound in the 39th minute and sophomore goalkeeper Joey Pacheco made six saves -- several of them highlight reel-worthy -- as California Baptist University defeated Grand Canyon University, ranked No. 5 in the West Region in both the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and official NCAA Division II polls, 1-0 in a key Pacific West Conference match tonight at the GCU Soccer Field in Phoenix.
The Antelopes, who had lost just once in their past 11 matches and had won five straight, fell to 12-4-1 overall, 8-2-1 in the PacWest. The Lancers, ranked No. 9 in the West Region in the NSCAA vote, improved to 12-5-0, 9-2-0.
This was the second of back-to-back matches between GCU and Cal Baptist. The 'Lopes snapped the Lancers' five-game winning streak with a 2-1, come-from-behind double-overtime victory on Thursday in Riverside, Calif.
Entering tonight's contest, the 'Lopes were in second place in the PacWest with 25
points, two fewer than Hawai'i Pacific (13-4-0, 9-2-0) and one more than Cal Baptist. They have just one regular-season game remaining, against fourth-place Dixie State (8-6-2, 7-3-0) at 5 p.m. Arizona time on Thursday in St. George, Utah. The Red Storm, who upset GCU 1-0 on Sept. 17 in Phoenix, have lost their past two matches.
Hawai'i Pacific also has one regular-season game left, at sixth-place BYU-Hawai'i (8-6-2, 4-4-2) on Wednesday.
With tonight's win, California Baptist now has 27 points and moved into a first-place tie with Hawai'i Pacific with identical 9-2 conference records.
GCU still could win at least a share of the conference title if it beats Dixie State on Thursday, Hawai'i Pacific ties or loses to BYU-Hawai'i tomorrow and California Baptist ties of loses to Dixie State on Saturday.
"Obviously this is a disappointing loss," Head Coach Petar Draksin said. "We held our destiny to go to the NCAA tournament and win our fifth PacWest title in the past six years. Now we have to wait and see, and hope on other people.
"We gave up a very sloppy goal, and that happens at every level. Cal Baptist's goalkeeper had the game of his lifetime. He definitely was the difference. He caught everything we threw at him, and he stopped some great shots. After halftime, we change our strategy and we went forward attacking-minded. It just wasn't our night. Our execution on set pieces was not very good, and in games like this that's what you need. Otherwise we played our hearts out, and I am very, very proud of our young men. I probably could have done a few things differently myself. Cal Baptist's players and coaches know what happened here tonight. That's sports."
The 'Lopes had advantages of 20-7 in shots and 6-3 in shots on goal.
The Lancers held the edge in corner kicks at 5-3. Twenty-three fouls were called, 14 of which were on GCU.
Today was the final home match for nine seniors: defender Maximilian Aust (Pliezhausen, Germany, Wuerttemberg Gym, UNC-Pembroke), forward/midfielder Bamoutaga Ballo (Babo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, Lycee Prive Bethanie I, Essex County College) midfielder Miguel Benavides (Salem, OR, Sprague), goalkeeper Adam Garcia (Avondale, AZ, Westview, Phoenix College, Gardner-Webb University),midfielder Mitchell Garcia (Avondale, AZ, Agua Fria, Phoenix College) defender/forward Nick Sykes (Boise, ID, Mountain View), midfielder Tony Valera (Phoenix, AZ, Raymond S. Kellis, Phoenix College), defender Anthony Whitlatch (Chandler, AZ, Highland) and midfielder Cordero Young (Orlando, FL, Central Florida Christian Academy, Tyler Junior College).
They were honored in Senior Day ceremonies at halftime of the 'Lopes' most recent home match, vs. Academy of Art on Oct. 22.
###
The Antelopes, who had lost just once in their past 11 matches and had won five straight, fell to 12-4-1 overall, 8-2-1 in the PacWest. The Lancers, ranked No. 9 in the West Region in the NSCAA vote, improved to 12-5-0, 9-2-0.
This was the second of back-to-back matches between GCU and Cal Baptist. The 'Lopes snapped the Lancers' five-game winning streak with a 2-1, come-from-behind double-overtime victory on Thursday in Riverside, Calif.
Entering tonight's contest, the 'Lopes were in second place in the PacWest with 25
Hawai'i Pacific also has one regular-season game left, at sixth-place BYU-Hawai'i (8-6-2, 4-4-2) on Wednesday.
With tonight's win, California Baptist now has 27 points and moved into a first-place tie with Hawai'i Pacific with identical 9-2 conference records.
GCU still could win at least a share of the conference title if it beats Dixie State on Thursday, Hawai'i Pacific ties or loses to BYU-Hawai'i tomorrow and California Baptist ties of loses to Dixie State on Saturday.
"Obviously this is a disappointing loss," Head Coach Petar Draksin said. "We held our destiny to go to the NCAA tournament and win our fifth PacWest title in the past six years. Now we have to wait and see, and hope on other people.
"We gave up a very sloppy goal, and that happens at every level. Cal Baptist's goalkeeper had the game of his lifetime. He definitely was the difference. He caught everything we threw at him, and he stopped some great shots. After halftime, we change our strategy and we went forward attacking-minded. It just wasn't our night. Our execution on set pieces was not very good, and in games like this that's what you need. Otherwise we played our hearts out, and I am very, very proud of our young men. I probably could have done a few things differently myself. Cal Baptist's players and coaches know what happened here tonight. That's sports."
The 'Lopes had advantages of 20-7 in shots and 6-3 in shots on goal.
The Lancers held the edge in corner kicks at 5-3. Twenty-three fouls were called, 14 of which were on GCU.
They were honored in Senior Day ceremonies at halftime of the 'Lopes' most recent home match, vs. Academy of Art on Oct. 22.
###
"Your Life Arizona" Featuring Vice President of Athletics Jamie Boggs
Friday, September 05
Kaleb Smith | Media Availability | 9.3.25
Thursday, September 04
Dusty Stromer | Media Availability | 9.3.25
Thursday, September 04
Makaih Williams | Media Availability | 9.3.25
Thursday, September 04