Day, Lopes defense hold Incarnate Word scoreless

Sunday, October 23

Phoenix, Ariz.

7:00 p.m.

Grand Canyon

6-7-3, 3-2-3WAC

Incarnate Word

4-7-3, 2-3-2WAC

UIW

Grand Canyon

10/23/2016 9:05:00 PM | Men's Soccer

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By: Steven Gonzalez

PHOENIX - Behind a stout Grand Canyon defense and four saves from goalkeeper Kendyl Day, the Lopes pitched a 1-0 shutout and defeated visiting Incarnate Word on Sunday evening at GCU Stadium. Niki Jackson recorded his 14th goal of the season in the 26th minute in the game's only score.

"I thought we played extremely well in the first 30 minutes of the game. We were able to make runs and move off the ball," head coach Schellas Hyndman said. "We had to hang on the entire second half, but the ball bounced our way tonight so we are very pleased with the win."

After a combined 10 shots between both teams, GCU was the side that was able to capitalize as Jackson scored. Jaime Olabarria started the attack from the back-line, sending the ball into the midfield. Alejandro Radilla placed a ball directly on top of the box for Jackson where he placed a shot in the lower left-90 of the goal to give GCU the 1-0 lead.

Incarnate Word came close to tying the match in the final seconds of the first half when O'Neal Moore had a breakaway attempt within the box but Day came up with a diving save to go into halftime with a 1-0 lead.

"As a goalkeeper your number isn't called often, but when it is you have to be ready to step up and make a play," Day said. "I'll do whatever it takes to help the team win and I just wanted to come up with a big save."

In the second half, Incarnate Word began to apply pressure on GCU's back-line, attempting five shots. Day came up with three huge saves to keep UIW scoreless.

"Our back-line played very well tonight and Kendyl came up with some big saves," Hyndman added. "Our mid-field worked awfully hard, and we were able to win balls in the air tonight."

The shutout was Day's fourth of the season and his second in conference play.

"I felt as a defense we were dominant in the first half but we had to dig deep in the second half," Day said. "We worked really hard for each other and got the ball out when we needed to so I am very proud of how we played."

GCU will return to action on Thursday, Oct. 27, as they travel to face Utah Valley before returning home for Senior Night on Sunday, Oct. 30 at GCU Stadium.