GCU comes up short against Air Force

Saturday, October 8

Phoenix, Ariz.

7:00 p.m.

Grand Canyon

4-6-2, 1-1-2WAC

Air Force

9-3-0, 3-0-0WAC

AFA

Grand Canyon

10/8/2016 9:31:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score Box Score

By: Steven Gonzalez

PHOENIX – The Grand Canyon men's soccer team played in front of the second largest crowd this season at GCU Stadium, hosting Air Force in front of 3,849 fans. The Lopes outshot the Falcons 14-7 but GCU was unable to come away with the win, losing to AFA 1-0. GCU is now 4-6-2 this season.

The Lopes played their fourth game in nine days while Air Force had seven days to rest before their previous match. GCU managed to put up 14 shots throughout the match.

"I'm real proud of our guys because they gave everything they had and they were committed to the gameplay. Air Force is a very good team and I think we matched their play," head coach Schellas Hyndman said. "When you work so hard you have to remember to stay focus and we have to sustain that throughout the match."

Not a lot of offense was generated to begin that match, even though GCU controlled possession for the first 10 minutes of play. There was almost as many fouls (9) in the first half as there were shots (10) but to close out the half, GCU generated four shots in the last eight minutes.

GCU's back-line was solid in the first 45 minutes of play, limiting Air Force to just two shot attempts with one on goal. Niki Jackson attempted a team-high four shots in the first half but the Lopes went into halftime in a scoreless tie with the Falcons.

In the 61st minute, GCU had its opportunity to take the lead when they were awarded a penalty kick as Alejandro Radilla's shot attempt hit the hand of an Air Force defender. Jackson stepped up to take the PK but was unsuccessful as John Wendt came up with the save.

"Niki is very good in those situations but the keeper came up with a great save," Hyndman added. "He waited for Niki to choose a spot and in the past Niki has had goalkeepers moving before he shoots."

Air Force would capitalize off GCU's mistake as Tucker Bone scored in the 73rd minute to make it 1-0 AFA and come away with the win. GCU will be back on the road on Friday, Oct. 14, when they travel to Las Vegas, Nev. to face UNLV.