5 Things to Know: Sept. 20-26

Each week, a loaded schedule for the 21 GCU Division I athletic squads may leave a Lopes fan missing out on some of the highlights! With that in mind, GCULopes.com will give you the best fast reads each Tuesday, quick hits of what's coming up soon and the top nuggets you may have missed.

1	SEEING DOUBLE	Women's Soccer
	The number two had some significance for the GCU women's soccer squad this past week in Friday's thrilling victory over CSU Bakersfield. First off, sophomore forward McKenzie Cook netted two goals -- one at 55' and the game-winning goal at 83'. In addition to Cook's two scores, Grand Canyon's defense limited CSUB to just two shots on the day. It was the fewest number of shots by an opponent in GCU's Division I history, and fewest overall since October 20, 2011, when the Lopes held Academy of Art to just two shots. (Game Recap \| Box Score)

2	JACKSON'S STREAK CONTINUES	Men's Soccer
	Beginning with a hat trick in the Lopes' victory over IUPUI, junior forward Niki Jackson has now recorded a point in three straight games for the Lopes. His hot streak of games began with the three-goal performance on Sept. 15, continued with an assist against Pacific on Sept. 18, and was further extended with a goal in Thursday's game against Portland. Grand Canyon's offensive leader leads the 11-team Western Athletic Conference in points (13) and goals scored (6). (WAC Leaderboard \| Team Stats)

3	HOME, SWEET HOME	Women's Volleyball
	It's been a long three-week stretch of road games for the Grand Canyon women's volleyball team, pairing up with some top-25 competition along the way. The seven-game road trip wrapped up last Friday, and now the Lopes turn their sights to the conference home opener, set for Thursday night in Antelope Gym. GCU enters the contest with a 2-1 record in home matches, claiming the GCU Tournament title in early September. The Lopes host UTRGV on Thursday night before hosting New Mexico State on Saturday. (Team Schedule)

4	A CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW	Men's & Women's Cross Country
	The Lopes cross country squads will get an early preview of the WAC championship course when they head to the Washington Invitational in Seattle, Wash. this weekend. GCU will compete with three highly-touted Pac-12 schools among the field of teams at the Jefferson Park Golf Course on Saturday. At the end of the month, the Lopes will be right back in Seattle at the same course, competing for a conference championship.

5	THE MADNESS NEARS: 10 DAYS	Men's & Women's Basketball
	Excitement for GCU Hoops is at an all-time high as the men's and women's basketball teams near tournament eligibility. Coach Dan Majerle's men's team is coming off a 27-7 season in which they finished in the Mid-Major Top 25. Coach Trent May's women's squad is coming off of an 8-6 record in conference play last year and will see the return of key contributors to the lineup after injuries last season. Preview the teams, experience the GCU Arena atmosphere and ring in a new season in this year's edition of Midnight Madness. Coming Friday, October 7 in the arena.

Grand Canyon University Athletics

Players Mentioned

McKenzie Cook

Niki Jackson

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