PacWest Champs! Men's Soccer Clinches Title with Double Overtime Win

Saturday, November 3

Phoenix, AZ

5:45 PM

Grand Canyon

Cal Baptist

Saeed Robinson

Photo by: Darryl Webb

PacWest Champs! Men's Soccer Clinches Title with Double Overtime Win

11/3/2012 11:27:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Improve to 10-0 at home on Senior Night

The eighth-ranked Grand Canyon University men’s soccer team claimed the Pacific West Conference title with their 1-0, double overtime win over visiting California Baptist tonight on the GCU Soccer Field. With the win, the Antelopes finished the regular season with a 15-2-1 overall record and 12-1-1 mark in conference play. The Lancers finished their 2012 campaign at 12-4-2 overall and 10-3-1 overall.

Additionally, the ‘Lopes have not lost since falling 3-1 to Notre Dame de Namur on Sept. 17 in Belmont, Calif., a stretch of 12 games and ended the regular season with a perfect 10-0 mark at home.

The conference crown is the fourth outright for GCU since joining the PacWest in 2006, a year that they shared the conference title with Notre Dame de Namur. Overall, the ‘Lopes have five PacWest championships in seven years with the conference.

The teams played to a scoreless tie through most of the game, although both had their chances offensively. The ‘Lopes held the advantage in shots, 27-19, and also placed 11 of theirs on goal, compared to just five for California Baptist.

“Everyone that watched the game saw an incredible, hard fought contest,” said head coach Petar Draksin. “Goalkeepers on both sides made some great plays. Joshua Zehring has a never give up attitude and is so tough. He was treated for consussion-like symptoms after the game, but he isn't afraid to go up in the air to make a stop. It was an exciting match. Both teams left it all on the field. California Baptist is a great team, I love their coaches, they do a great job. If you look at this battle over the last couple of seasons, we always play great games against each other. I have nothing but the ultimate respect for the California Baptist men’s soccer program.”

The Antelopes and Lancers battled in overtime, as GCU narrowly outshot California Baptist, 5-4 in that time.

The Lancers thought they scored the game-winner with just over three minutes remaining in the second overtime before it was overturned due to a foul on the play. Less than a minute later, Saeed Robinson put an end to the hard-fought contest when he found the back of the net on a long assist from Emmanuel Bonilla-Segura. The goal was Robinson's conference-leading 17th of the season.

“I can’t say enough for our team,” said Draksin. “They played their hearts out and never gave up. They were undefeated at home. I am so proud of them. This is our fifth conference championship, which is not easy to do in any sport. It is all about the guys and how they have responded. We are going to enjoy this and then get back to it on Monday.”

The ‘Lopes will now wait to uncover their postseason fate. GCU was ranked second in the NCAA regional poll released last Wednesday, behind Simon Fraser.

The NCAA selection show will air on NCAA.com on Monday, Nov. 5 at 5 p.m. (Arizona time). The ‘Lopes will find out at that time where they are seeded in the West Region. Fans can access the show by clicking here.

GCU 1, CBU 0 2OT