GCU Men’s Soccer Shutout Green Bay 1-0

Friday, September 11

Phoenix, Ariz.

7:30 p.m.

Grand Canyon

2-1-0

Green Bay

1-2-1

Green Bay

Grand Canyon

9/11/2015 10:24:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

By: Grand Canyon Wins Back-to-Back Matches for First Time Since 2013

Related: Box Score (PDF)

PHOENIX – The crowd was electric for the Grand Canyon men's soccer home opener Friday night against Green Bay as 2,348 fans piled into GCU Soccer Field. For the first time since Nov. 10, 2013, the Antelopes have now won two matches in a row after defeating the Phoenix 1-0 in their first match of the GCU Soccer Classic, improving to 2-1-0 this season.

"I told the players this is a once-a-year opportunity to perform in front of our fans in our home opener," head coach Schellas Hyndman said. "We had a great crowd behind us and we did not want to let them down so it feels good to win for Grand Canyon University."

After a slow start offensively, the Lopes' offense picked up late in the first half and Niki Jackson would capitalize in the 36^th minute with a goal to put GCU up 1-0. The Lopes created an attack on the right side of the field where Alberto Sanchez Garcia played Jackson into the box where he went one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Jackson would go near post through the keeper's legs to give the Lopes the 1-0 advantage.

"It is exciting to win in front of a great crowd," Jackson said. "Alberto laid off a great ball for me and I am just glad I was able to score for my team. This is a great win but now we have to focus and prepare for Sunday's match against Sacramento State."

Green Bay almost tied the match six minutes later when Cheenuj Shong got passed GCU's backline and went one-on-one with GCU goalkeeper Luca Licciardi but the senior came up with a huge save preserving GCU's lead. The Phoenix outshot Grand Canyon 10-4 in the first 45 minutes, but the one shot GCU had on target, they made count and proved to be the different maker in the first half.

"Our defense is growing with every game," Licciardi said. "We have a bunch of studs on the backline and our mindset as a defense is that we will do everything we can to prevent the other team from scoring and tonight we won every ball we were supposed to."

For the first 20 minutes of the 2^nd half GCU's defense allowed just one shot with its backline doing an exceptional job of man-marking. Green Bay continued to apply pressure on GCU's defense attempting six corner kicks alone in the 2^nd half but the Lopes' defense stood tall, preventing a goal.

Garcia came inches away from making it a 2-0 game for GCU off a free kick from 25-yards out. Garcia went far post going over the wall and passing the goalkeeper but the shot hit the post bar as the score remained 1-0.

In his final home opener, Hyndman gave Licciardi the start and the senior delivered, recording GCU's first shutout of the season coming up with four saves.

"Tonight was an absolute blessing to have the chance to start in my final home opener and I will be forever grateful for coach Hyndman giving me this opportunity," Licciardi said. "Our team worked our butts off but we limited their opportunities tonight."

For the first time this season, the men's soccer team got to experience what it felt like having the GCU Havocs behind them as the student group did their "March to the Match" creating an electric atmosphere.

"The school is completely behind us and for the players it fueled us," Licciardi. "We want to win for them and hopefully this makes them want to come back for our next home matches."

The Lopes will close out the GCU Classic on Sunday, Sept. 13, against Sacramento State at 7 p.m. at GCU Soccer Field.