LMU scores late goal, defeats GCU

Monday, September 5

Los Angeles, Calif.

2:30 p.m.

Grand Canyon

1-2-0

Loyola Marymount

2-2-0

Grand Canyon

Loyola Marymount

9/5/2016 7:41:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

By: Steven Gonzalez

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – To close out its first two-match weekend of the season, the Grand Canyon men's soccer team faced Loyola Marymount. The Lopes played great defense all throughout the match but a late goal from LMU with less than three minutes left gave the Lions a 1-0 victory. GCU is now 1-2-0 this season.

GCU got off to a solid start in the first half as they outshot LMU 6-3 in the first 45 minutes of play. GCU's outside backs and the midfielders were able to take advantage on the outside and move the ball up the flanks but were unable to convert. Loyola Marymount looked to jump on the scoreboard early in the match with a shot in the seventh minute within the box but GCU's Kendyl Day came up with a big save.

The offense picked up in the second half from both teams as each team fired off seven shots. GCU's Niki Jackson and Alexandros Halis led all players with a game-high three shots but the Lopes struggled to put the ball in the back of the net. GCU's best chance to score came in the 80th minute when Damian German received a pass and scored but the line judge ruled that it was offside, negating the goal.

With less than three minutes left, LMU's Antonio Porreco received the ball off a rebound and placed the ball in the left corner of the goal to give the Lions the win.

After allowing just two goals this weekend, Day's goals against average has dropped to 1.33. GCU will conclude its four-match road trip this weekend as they participate in the New Mexico Tournament to face Missouri State and UNM.