GCU Wins WAC Opener Over UTRGV

Friday, October 2

Phoenix, Ariz.

7 p.m.

Grand Canyon

5-3-0

Texas Rio Grande Valley

3-5-1

UTRGV

Grand Canyon

10/2/2015 9:45:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

By: Steven Gonzalez

PHOENIX – To open up Western Athletic Conference play, the Grand Canyon men's soccer team hosted Texas Rio Grande Valley for its first match at home since Sept. 13. In his first conference match at GCU, head coach Schellas Hyndman led the Antelopes to a 1-0 victory over the Vaqueros. This is the first time since being a member of the Western Athletic Conference that GCU has won its WAC opener. Grand Canyon moves to 5-3-0, already matching last year's win total.

"This is exactly the game we imagined," Hyndman said. "Texas Rio Grande Valley is a really stubborn team who sat back on us and frustrated us but we were able to stay composed and happy that we were able to come out with a win."

The Antelopes controlled possession for most of the first half, dictating the pace of play. The Lopes were on the attack offensively forcing 10 shots in the first 45 minutes of play led by Alberto Sanchez Garcia with four shots. In the 41^st minute, Damian German was able to dribble down the left side of the field, which led to Garcia making a run in the middle of the field. German was able to lay the ball off for Garcia right on top of the box where Garcia went far post for a goal in the upper right 90.

"This wins means a lot starting off with a win in the WAC because it is crucial to set the tone for the rest of the season," Garcia said. "We love playing at home because we are confident playing in front of our fans."

GCU went into halftime with a 1-0 lead. For the first time this season, Grand Canyon's defense did not allow a single shot in the first half from UTRGV's offense.

"That first half was the best soccer we played all year," Hyndman said. "I was impressed how we moved the ball and we played unselfishly."

In the second half the Vaqueros tried to break down GCU's defense with three shot attempts. UTRGV's best opportunity came in the 70^th minute when Carlos Acevedo made a run into the box looking to get an attempt on goal but Amer Sasivarevic came from behind to make a sliding tackle, preventing Acevedo from taking a shot.

Texas Rio Grande Valley made a late push with a shot attempt with two seconds left in the game inside the box but goalkeeper Kendyl Day made his one and only save of the game, giving GCU the victory. GCU's defense allowed just three shots the entire game.

"Our defensive performance was really great because we stuck to the gameplan," Day said. "They were unable to break down our defense in the second half and when we needed to step up in the second half our backline came through."

The Lopes will close out their homestand on Sunday, Oct. 4, against Houston Baptist at 7 p.m. at GCU Soccer Field.