GCU strikes first, falls to No. 16 Air Force

Sunday, October 22

Colorado Springs, Colo.

2:00 p.m.

Grand Canyon

6-9, 3-4WAC

Air Force

11-1-3, 5-0-2WAC

Grand Canyon

Air Force

Photo by: Corey Solotorovsky

10/22/2017 4:18:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

Grand Canyon scored quickest goal by a Falcons' opponent this season

By: Josh Hauser

USAFA, Colo. - Grand Canyon took a 1-0 lead and appeared to go up 2-0, but the goal was negated and No. 16 Air Force went on to score the match's final three goals in a 3-1 game on Sunday afternoon. It was GCU's final road match of the regular season, as the postseason push will return to GCU Stadium for the final three games.

"The boys played as hard as they could of," head coach Schellas Hyndman said. "They gave a strong effort. They really focused and did well in this game."

Grand Canyon (6-9, 3-4 WAC) struck first in the 12th minute, the fastest goal by an Air Force (11-1-3, 5-0-2 WAC) opponent this season. From the right wing, Jackson Jellah crossed it into the box. The ball went past its intended target of Niki Jackson and was deflected by an Air Force defender, but it went right to the feet of Josh Drack who scored his second goal of the season.

GCU had two goals negated by officials in the match, making it three goals taken away after the fact in the last three halves of game action. The Lopes looked as if they had extended their lead in the 26th minute, but the Lopes had the goal negated due to an offside call. Coming off a free kick, Aidan McGlothan tapped a ball into the net but was ruled offside after a quick meeting between officials.

The Lopes held their 1-0 lead for 23 minutes before Air Force found the equalizer. After a jersey-tug foul was whistled just outside the box, the Falcons converted on a free kick. Air Force's leading scorer, Tucker Bone, delivered a perfect kick that wrapped around GCU's wall and into the right corner of the goal.

Just after halftime and with the game tied 1-1, GCU had another score taken away. A cross to Jackson was headed into the net, but the officials ruled that the ball went over the end line before being crossed.

"They had the benefits of playing a home game," Hyndman said. "Our students and fans should be proud of the team."

A strong collection of GCU fans got to witness the match first-hand through the Lopes on the Road series. 127 GCU fans were on site to watch the Lopes.

Air Force scored twice to break the tie and take a 3-1 lead, a score that would hold through full time. The Falcons ended up with a 3-on-2 situation in the GCU box and passed the ball around before finding an open opportunity in the 62nd. To put the game out of reach, the Falcons scored again in the 75th. All of GCU's defensive attention went to Bone entering the box, leaving an open defender for an easy finish.

Grand Canyon returns home to GCU Stadium for the final three matches of the season, looking to make a push in the WAC standings and qualify for the WAC Tournament in its first eligible season. The Lopes will host Seattle U and Utah Valley next weekend before closing out the year against UNLV the following weekend.

"It's huge," Hyndman said of closing the year out at home. "It will be a good three games coming up for us to get ourselves in the WAC Tournament. We would like to play Air Force again at a neutral site. I think we showed we deserve it."

Kickoff versus Seattle U is set for 7 p.m. MST on Friday night.