'Lopes Fall to No. 11 New Mexico in Lone Exhibition Contest

Saturday, August 17

Albuquerque, NM

6 p.m.

Grand Canyon

New Mexico (Exhibition)

Alberto Sanchez Garcia

Photo by: Darryl Webb

'Lopes Fall to No. 11 New Mexico in Lone Exhibition Contest

8/17/2013 8:23:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Open regular season play on Aug. 30 at Nebraska-Omaha

The Grand Canyon University men's soccer team opened their 2013 slate with a 3-1 loss at No. 11 New Mexico in their lone exhibition contest of the season. The game marked the first for the Antelopes as members of the Division I Western Athletic Conference.

The Lobos held the narrow advantage in shots (12-9) and shots on goal (5-3). GCU goalkeeper Joshua Zehring recorded two saves in the game.

"The first half was great soccer," said head coach Petar Draksin. "We had two or three solid opportunities, and their goalkeeper made some great saves. New Mexico scored on one of our mistakes early in the game, a free kick hand ball, which was a lack of concentration. But we came back and scored a great goal. I think it could have gone either way in the first half."

The Lobos got on the board first with a header goal in the 12^th minute. GCU responded with a goal of their own seven minutes later, when Alberto Sanchez Garcia found the back of the net on an assist by Kyle Ciliento. After both teams were held scoreless for nearly 20 minutes, New Mexico reclaimed the lead in the 38^th minute, 2-1, an advantage they would carry into the half.

Both teams took six shots in the first half, with the Lobos placing four of those on goal, compared to two for GCU.

The 'Lopes and Lobos traded shots for most of the second half, with neither finding the back of the net until New Mexico gave themselves a two-goal cushion in the 84^th minute.

"I felt that they (New Mexico) made some adjustments in the second half," said Draksin. "We are not at full game strength right now, with just one day of practice under our belt. I felt we were good enough in fitness and concentration for one half, and we really had to battle at the end of the game. But that is not to take away from New Mexico, they are a fantastic team. Our boys played with a lot of fight and character, and the mistakes that we made are fixable."

GCU will begin regular season when they travel to Nebraska-Omaha on Aug. 30 with game time slated for 5 p.m. (Arizona time). Fans can follow the action by visiting www.gculopes.com. The Mavericks are members of the Summit League.

"I am so proud of the guys," added Draksin. "Now we are coming home and have 14 days to get ready for the first official day of the season."

UNM 3, GCU 1