Completed Event: Men's Soccer versus Utah Tech on October 23, 2025 , Tie , 2, to, 2
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Grand Canyon University Athletics
Jackson garners preseason conference recognition
8/15/2017 9:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Reigning WAC Player of the Year lands spot on preseason first team
DENVER - The Grand Canyon men's soccer team was picked to finish fifth and reigning WAC Offensive Player of the Year Niki Jackson landed a spot on the Preseason All-WAC Team in the conference's preseason voting announced on Tuesday. Polling was done by the WAC's 11 head coaches, who could not vote for their own team or players.
Despite Jackson leading the WAC in goals (16) and being named WAC Offensive Player of the Year at season's end in 2016, UNLV's Danny Musovski was voted the Preseason Player of the Year.  Musovski netted 12 goals for the Rebels last season. Jackson did, however, land a spot on the All-WAC Preseason Team after finishing third in the nation in goals per game (16 goals in 18 matches) a year ago.
The preseason conference recognition comes on the heels of Jackson being named to the MAC Hermann Watch List for the nation's top collegiate soccer player last week.
After finishing fifth in 2016, a five-spot improvement from the previous year, the Lopes are picked to finish fifth in the 2017 Preseason Coaches Poll. GCU is just two points behind fourth-place Air Force. UNLV, Utah Valley and Seattle U claimed the top three spots in the poll. Grand Canyon is set to end the regular season by facing all three of the top teams in the preseason poll at GCU Stadium.
The Lopes wrap up their training in Sedona this week before heading off to Albuquerque, N.M. for a closed exhibition match against preseason No. 20 New Mexico. The tune-up match will serve as a precursor to the regular season opener on Friday, Aug. 25 at Omaha.
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Despite Jackson leading the WAC in goals (16) and being named WAC Offensive Player of the Year at season's end in 2016, UNLV's Danny Musovski was voted the Preseason Player of the Year.  Musovski netted 12 goals for the Rebels last season. Jackson did, however, land a spot on the All-WAC Preseason Team after finishing third in the nation in goals per game (16 goals in 18 matches) a year ago.
The preseason conference recognition comes on the heels of Jackson being named to the MAC Hermann Watch List for the nation's top collegiate soccer player last week.
After finishing fifth in 2016, a five-spot improvement from the previous year, the Lopes are picked to finish fifth in the 2017 Preseason Coaches Poll. GCU is just two points behind fourth-place Air Force. UNLV, Utah Valley and Seattle U claimed the top three spots in the poll. Grand Canyon is set to end the regular season by facing all three of the top teams in the preseason poll at GCU Stadium.
The Lopes wrap up their training in Sedona this week before heading off to Albuquerque, N.M. for a closed exhibition match against preseason No. 20 New Mexico. The tune-up match will serve as a precursor to the regular season opener on Friday, Aug. 25 at Omaha.
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| Â 2017 Men's Soccer Conference Awards | |
| Award | Player, School |
| Offensive Player of the Year | Danny Musovski, Sr., UNLV |
| Defensive Player of the Year | Nathan Aune, Jr., Seattle U |
|  2017 Men's Soccer Preseason All-WAC Team | |
| Position | Player, School |
| Forward | Austin Dewing, Jr., Air Force |
| Forward | Paul Hoffmeister, Sr., Utah Valley |
| Forward | Niki Jackson, Sr., Grand Canyon |
| Forward | Danny Musovski, Sr., UNLV |
| Midfielder | Tucker Bone, Jr., Air Force |
| Midfielder | Timo Mehlich, So., UNLV |
| Midfielder | Sergio Rivas, Jr., Seattle U |
| Defender | Nathan Aune, Jr., Seattle U |
| Defender | Jamie Carey-Morrell, Sr., CSU Bakersfield |
| Defender | Giovanny Vazquez, Sr., Utah Valley |
| Goalkeeper | John Wendt, Sr., Air Force |
| 2017 Preseason Men's Soccer Coaches Poll | |||
| Rank | Team (First-place votes) | Points | |
| 1 |
 |
UNLV (5) | 90 |
| 2 |
 |
Utah Valley (3) | 89 |
| 3 |
 |
Seattle U (3) | 87 |
| 4 |
 |
Air Force | 72 |
| 5 |
 |
Grand Canyon | 70 |
| 6 |
 |
CSU Bakersfield | 54 |
| 7 |
 |
San José State | 37 |
| 8 |
 |
UT Rio Grande Valley | 33 |
| 9 |
 |
Incarnate Word | 29 |
| T10 |
 |
Houston Baptist | 22 |
| T10 |
 |
Kansas City | 22 |
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Players Mentioned
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