The No. 13 Grand Canyon University men’s soccer team defeated Dixie State, 3-0, tonight on the GCU Soccer Field. The win was the ninth straight for the Antelopes, who improved to 13-2-0 overall and 10-1-0 in Pacific West Conference play. The Red Storm fell to 5-8-2 overall and 4-5-2 in the conference.
The streak is the longest since GCU also won nine consecutive games from Sept. 11-Oct. 10, 2009.
GCU goalkeeper
Joshua Zehring recorded his fourth shutout of the season as he also collected six saves in the contest.
The ‘Lopes outshot the Red Storm, 18-14, placing seven of those shots on goal compared to six for Dixie State as they also held the advantage with seven corner kicks.
“Dixie State always gives us a tough time,” said head coach Petar Draksin. “They have some special players. Last year we split our two games with them. They are a team that we have to battle against every time and our guys did a great job tonight.”
The first half saw both teams playing strong defense, as GCU took just eight shots and limited the Red Storm to four.
Chris Green was awarded a penalty kick in the seventh minute and successfully converted the shot to give the ‘Lopes an early 1-0 lead.
Saeed Robinson, who scored three goals in GCU’s 3-2 win over Dixie State on Tuesday, cushioned the lead when he found the back of the net on an assist from
Alberto Sanchez Garcia in the 39
th minute.
The ‘Lopes were on the defense for most of the second half before
Brandon Hansen extended the GCU lead to 3-0 with his seventh goal of the season in the 71
st minute. That goal stood as the lone score of the half for either team.
GCU will begin their final regular season road trip with a game at Point Loma on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. The ‘Lopes will conclude that portion of their schedule at California Baptist on Saturday with kickoff slated for 12:30 p.m.
“Preparation starts Monday with practice,” added Draksin. “These guys have already accomplished nice things this season, but we want to finish strong with 12 straight wins and that is not going to be easy.”
GCU 3, DX 0