No. 17 'Lopes Score Season-High 6 Goals in Win over Hilo

Wednesday, October 3

Phoenix, AZ

5:45 PM

Grand Canyon

Hawai'i Hilo

Photo by: Darryl Webb

No. 17 'Lopes Score Season-High 6 Goals in Win over Hilo

10/3/2012 8:16:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Hansen, Green have two goals each

The No. 17 Grand Canyon University men’s soccer team defeated visiting Hawai’i Hilo, 6-3, tonight in Phoenix, Ariz. With the win, the Antelopes improved to 8-2-0 overall and 5-1-0 in Pacific West Conference play, while the Vulcans fell to 0-6-1 overall and 0-5-1 in the conference.

The six goals were the most for GCU since also scoring six on Oct. 20, 2011 against Academy of Art. The four first half goals also marked a season-high and the most since scoring six on Oct. 1, 2011 at Hilo.

“We will certainly take this win,” said head coach Petar Draksin. “We played very well in the first half. But I can’t take anything away from Hilo; they just came off a tough game against Dixie that went into double overtime. Our guys executed their shots tonight. The kids believe in what we are doing and they believe in each other.”

GCU held a margin of 28-10 for shots in the game, while also placing 15 of those on goal.

The game was tightly contested for the first 20 minutes, although the ‘Lopes had six shots while not allowing a shot to Hilo. The ‘Lopes then scored four goals over the next 13 minutes, two of which came from Brandon Hansen.

“I knew Brandon had it in him to be a strong offensive threat, that is why he is here,” Draksin added. “I wouldn’t expect anything less from him because he is a fantastic soccer player. Fortunately, we have many quality soccer players here at GCU.”

GCU’s defense did not allow a shot to the Vulcans in the first period, while the offense had 22 shots, 12 of which were on goal.

Hansen scored the first goal of the game in the 20^th minute on an assist from Saeed Robinson. Four minutes later, Alex Connally found the back of the net from just in front of the goal. He was assisted by Brian Green, who scored GCU’s third goal just over a minute later. Hansen extended the lead with his second goal of the game in the 32^nd minute.

The ‘Lopes were quick to get on the board in the second half, as Adam Finnefrock collected his first goal of the season just two minutes in on an assist from Stipe-Darko Medic, his second of the contest.

The Vulcans recorded their first shot of the game in the 54^th minute, a header that sailed high.

Green scored his second goal of the game in the 58^th minute on an assist from Medic’s corner kick.

The Vulcans scored their first goal of the contest in the 74^th minute and were credited with their second goal via an own goal charged to GCU less than a minute later. Hilo tacked on another goal in the 89^th minute to make the score 6-3 with just under one minute remaining. The Vulcans outshot the ‘Lopes by a margin of 10-6 in the second half.

The ‘Lopes will continue their homestand with a contest against BYU-Hawaii on Saturday at 5:45 p.m. on the GCU Soccer Field.

“We still need to work on our consistency, but I was pleased with their effort tonight,” Draksin said. “We will now turn our attention to preparing for our game against BYU-Hawaii.”

GCU 6, UHH 3