GCU earns second draw of the weekend against UTRGV

Sunday, October 2

Edinburg, Texas

11:00 a.m.

Grand Canyon

3-5-2, 0-0-2WAC

UT Rio Grande Valley

2-5-2, 0-1-1WAC

OT 3

OT 4

Grand Canyon

UT Rio Grande Valley

10/2/2016 9:52:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score Box Score

By: Steven Gonzalez

EDINBURG, Texas – For the second time this weekend, the Grand Canyon men's soccer team got its second draw in Western Athletic Conference play. The Lopes traveled to face UT Rio Grande Valley and got a 0-0 tie to end the weekend with two points in conference. GCU is now 3-5-2.

It was an offensive struggle in the first half between both teams as GCU and UTRGV combined for five shots in the first 45 minutes of play. The Lopes tried to play physical against the Vaqueros, fouling UTRGV 16 times throughout the match. After a slow start, GCU's offense began to pick up in the second half, outshooting the Vaqueros 12-6 for the game. As GCU began applying pressure, it led to more corner kicks as the Lopes attempted four corner kicks in the second half.

Eight different players attempted a shot for the Lopes, led by Niki Jackson and Khadim Seye with two shots each. In both overtimes, GCU held UTRGV to just one shot while attempting five shots in 20 minutes in overtime. GCU's back-line did an exceptional job of keeping the ball away from GCU goalkeeper Kendyl Day as he only had to come up with one save and limiting UTRGV to six shots.

Defenders Hector Montalvo and Jaime Olabarria were the only players along with Day to play all 110 minutes. Earning a start in the midfield was freshman Daniel Moreno while fellow freshman Austin Day played a significant role as a defender for the second straight match receiving 69 minutes of playing time.

GCU will be back in action on Thursday, Oct. 6, as they face Houston Baptist on the road.