'Lopes Lose Tightly-Contested Game vs. Bakersfield

Friday, November 1

Phoenix, AZ

7 p.m.

Grand Canyon

2-11-1, 1-6-0

CSU Bakersfield

7-7-2, 5-2-1

CSU Bakersfield

GCU

Adam Finnefrock

Photo by: Darryl Webb

11/1/2013 9:25:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

Chirandu picks up first goal with the Antelopes

The Grand Canyon University men's soccer team (2-11-1, 1-6-0) lost a tightly-contested 2-1 Western Athletic Conference matchup to visiting CSU Bakersfield (7-7-2, 5-2-1) tonight on the GCU Soccer Field in Phoenix, Ariz.

The Antelopes outshot the Roadrunners by a margin of 18-10 as both squads placed six of their attempts on target.

"I think the boys played exceptionally well and that this was one of our better games this season," said head coach Petar Draksin. "It is unlucky that we came away from this contest with a loss because I felt that we had the opportunities there. We probably had more opportunities than we have had in a long time. We are having a difficult time scoring goals, but I know that once we start scoring, we will be tied in these games or be on the other side with a win."

The first half went back and forth as the two teams combined for 13 shot attempts before Bakersfield broke through in the 33^rd minute. Joe Masumiya dribbled the ball into the center of the box and kicked it past a diving Joshua Zehring for his fourth goal of the season. He was assisted by Mario Ortiz from the right side for the score.

GCU held the 10-8 advantage in shots during the first 45 minutes, although the Roadrunners put five of theirs on target as 'Lopes goalkeeper Zehring recorded four saves in the half.

The second half saw the 'Lopes take five shots in the first 30 minutes, but the Roadrunners were the ones who found the back of the net on their first attempt of the half. Jonathan Colunga knocked a hard shot into the back right of the net on an assist from David Velasquez in the 76^th minute to give Bakersfield the 2-0 lead.

Just over 30 seconds later, GCU cut that advantage in half when Courage Chirandu recorded his first goal of the season on an assist from the right side off the foot of Adam Finnefrock.

The 'Lopes carried the offensive momentum for much of the remainder of the half, taking the only two shots before time expired in the contest.

Alberto Sanchez Garcia collected a season-high 10 shots in the game, putting four of those on goal.

"I'm very proud of the team," added Draksin. "We made some changes tonight and they worked out for the best. We are going to continue playing until the last game, and we are not going to put our heads down. We have kids that want to play, those that are spirited and work hard. Our program never has a give up attitude and we will continue fighting."

GCU remains home for a Sunday contest against WAC affiliate member UNLV. Kickoff is slated for 4 p.m. and fans can follow all of the action via live video and stats by visiting www.gculopes.com.

CSUB 2, GCU 1