GCU concludes season at Akron

Wednesday, November 2

Akron, Ohio

1:00 p.m.

Grand Canyon

Akron

10/31/2016 3:57:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Game Notes

By: Steven Gonzalez

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 2
1 p.m. MST \| FirstEnergy Stadium \| Akron, Ohio
GRAND CANYON LOPES 7-8-3 (4-3-3 WAC) GAME NOTES	at	AKRON ZIPS 8-5-3 (2-1-1 MAC)
LIVE STATS \| Live Stream LIVE VIDEO

In its final game of the season, the Grand Canyon men's soccer team will travel to face one of the most storied programs in Division I soccer. The Lopes will conclude their 2016 season against Akron with the opportunity to finish with a .500 record this season.

After another goal this past weekend, Niki Jackson remains in a tie for third place for the most goals this season in Division I, with 15 goals while also adding an assist for a total of 32 points, which ranks fifth in the country. After a victory in their final game at GCU Stadium this season, the Lopes were an impressive 5-3-1 in its brand new home. With just one week left in the regular season, GCU has the eighth highest average attendance in Division I, averaging 2,508 fans.

After finishing in 10th place in 2015, the Lopes were picked to finish sixth in the WAC in the Preseason Coaches Poll and the Lopes finished in fourth place, with a winning record of 4-3-3. This will be the final game for GCU seniors Ben Barkoff, Kendyl Day, Alex Halis, Koray Karakas, Jaime Olabarria, Jose Rodriguez Nieblas and Daniel Wall.

Scouting Akron
The Zips came into the season ranked No. 2 in the NSCAA Preseason Poll. Just barely outside the top-25, Akron sits in third place in the Mid-American Conference. The Zips have faced six opponents this year that were ranked in the top-25 including WAC member, Seattle U, who they defeated 1-0. Senior midfielder, Adam Najem, leads Akron this year with five goals and three assists for 13 points. The Zips have had a balanced scoring attack with 17 goals in the first half and 14 in the second. Opponents have been able to do their damage in the second half, scoring 13 of the 20 goals Akron has allowed in the second half.