GCU opens WAC with decisive win over Houston Baptist

Sunday, October 1

Phoenix, Ariz.

7:00 p.m.

Grand Canyon

4-5, 1-0

Houston Baptist

3-4, 0-2

Houston Baptist

Grand Canyon

Photo by: Michael Rincon

10/1/2017 9:52:00 PM | Men's Soccer

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Morris-Demos paces Lopes' offense with 5 points

By: Josh Hauser

PHOENIX - The Grand Canyon men's soccer team opened up Western Athletic Conference play with a decisive 5-2 victory over Houston Baptist on Sunday night at GCU Stadium. The Lopes tied a season-high with five goals and recorded their largest margin of victory on the season.

Individually, Musa Morris Demos led the Lopes' attack with 5 points with one goal each half to go along with an assist. Marco Afonso netted his first collegiate goal. Niki Jackson scored his fourth of the season, and Charlie Keating opened up the scoring with his second.

"We caused a lot of problems for them," head coach Schellas Hyndman said. "I thought we created a lot of really good chances in the first half, especially on the left flank with Marco. Musa is getting adjusted to his new position and scored two nice goals for us today. I was pleased with it."

After Houston Baptist created a few close calls in the beginning moments of the match, it was the Lopes that dominated.

Keating gave GCU its first goal in conference play when he scored in the 33rd minute from the top of the box on a nice setup by Morris Demos. It was back-to-back goals for Keating who closed out the Lopes' previous match with a game-winning score.

About five minutes later, Jackson scored his fourth of the year to put GCU in front 2-0. Jackson received the ball on the left on a pass from Josh Drack. Jackson hit a low ball to the right corner of the net, perfect controlled placement past the outstretched reach of the keeper.

The scoring parade continued when Morris Demos scored just moments before halftime. Jackson linked up with Morris Demos who delivered a shot from the top of the box to the left corner of the net. The Lopes went into the halftime break with a comfortable 3-0 lead.

Houston Baptist was the first to score out of the locker room, pulling within two. The Huskies scored off of a corner kick.

Grand Canyon restored its three-goal lead in the 59th minute when Afonso netted the first goal of his collegiate career. Afonso swooped by Jackson and ended up with the ball, blowing by three defenders with his long strides and kicked the ball past the keeper.

HBU once again responded, this time in the 77th. The Huskies caught the Lopes off guard, alertly keying a free kick before the Lopes' defense was completely set.

The Lopes wrapped up the match with a score in the 87th minute from Morris Demos. The redshirt freshman cleaned up a ball in the box for his second score of the night from in close.

Grand Canyon improved to 4-1 at GCU Stadium, but will now be tasked on taking to the road for 5 of the next 6.

"This is a very friendly environment for us. What we have to be able to do is come out and play soccer," Hyndman said of readjusting to playing on the road. "Today, one of the things we wanted to do was get a lot of players on the field, use some of our depth. And I think it really showed. We have depth, and if we don't use it, that's our fault."

The Lopes doubled up Houston Baptist in the shots column 31-15. GCU's 31 shots set a new Division I program record, surpassing the 30 shots taken at Stetson on Sept. 8, 2013. For the first time as a Division I team, GCU has scored five goals in two different matches in a season. Jeremy Pollard ended up with five saves on the night.

Now one of five teams who remain undefeated after one weekend of conference play, the Lopes will travel to California for a pair of matches next weekend. GCU will face CSU Bakersfield on Friday and San José State on Sunday.