GCU gets 1-1 draw in WAC opener

Friday, September 30

Phoenix, Ariz.

7:00 p.m.

Grand Canyon

3-5-1

San Jose State

1-7-2

OT 1

OT 2

SJSU

Grand Canyon

9/30/2016 9:27:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score Box Score

By: Steven Gonzalez

PHOENIX – It was a grind in the first Western Athletic Conference match of the season for the Grand Canyon men's soccer team. After GCU scored late in the second half, San Jose State responded with a goal of its own to start conference play with a 1-1 tie. GCU is now 3-5-1 on the season.

The Lopes outshot the Spartans by eight attempts with a season-high 22 shots with nine on goal.

"Our first half was some of the best soccer we have played all year and we showed a lot of desire and determination tonight," head coach Schellas Hyndman said. "Our effort is tremendous so now we have to take that effort on the road."

The Lopes were able to generate 10 shots in the first half while the back-line limited the Spartans to just one shot. GCU's back-line did an exceptional job of keeping San Jose State's forwards away from the 18-yard box to apply pressure on GCU's goalkeeper Kendyl Day. The Lopes' best opportunities came in the 38th minute when the offense attempted four shots within two minutes with two of them on goal but SJSU's goalkeeper Nedin Tucakovic held the Lopes scoreless.

Despite going scoreless in the first 45 minutes of play, Niki Jackson did his best with six shot attempts and came close to scoring with less than 30 seconds in the half. Jackson was able to fight off a defender and put the ball in the back of the net but the goal was negated as the head official called Jackson for a foul.

San Jose State's offense picked up in the second half, attempting 11 shots but GCU was the first to strike and get on the scoreboard. After applying pressure all night on SJSU's back-line, Damian German was able to score his second goal of the season off a cross from Alejandro Radilla to put GCU up 1-0 in the 78th minute. Radilla would record his first career assist after sending a pass right in front of goal from the left side of the box where German was able to put it in the back of the net from two-yards out.

GCU didn't hold onto the lead for too long as Leonardo Silva scored from 20-yards out off a deflection from a GCU defender to tie the match and send it into overtime.

"I think if there wasn't a deflection that Kendyl (Day) would have come up with the save and that is a tough break because our back-line played very well tonight," Hyndman added as freshman Austin Day earned his first career start at GCU. "Austin (Day) did a really god job and he deserves a lot of credit because he is playing at a position he is not used to."

In the first overtime, the Lopes had their opportunities with four shots including two on goal. In the final minute, Radilla put a shot that looked to be going in but hit the crossbar to go into the final overtime. GCU had one shot in the second overtime but were unable to take home the victory.

GCU will conclude its first WAC weekend on the road on Sunday, Oct. 2, against UT Rio Grande Valley.