GCU faces two big tests in Omaha for opening weekend


Grand Canyon Lopes (0-0-0, 0-0-0 WAC)	at	Omaha Mavericks (0-0-0, 0-0-0 Summit)	(14) Creighton Bluejays (0-0-0, 0-0-0 Big East)
		Fri, Aug. 25 at 4 p.m. MST	Sun, Aug. 27 at 5 p.m. MST
GCU Match Notes Media Guide		~~Game Notes~~ Live Stats Live Video	Game Notes Live Stats Live Video

Just days after getting the final stamp of Division I transition approval from the NCAA, the Grand Canyon men's soccer team will officially begin its season with a pair of tough tests in Omaha, Neb. The program's 33rd season kicks off on Friday against Omaha before darting across town for a date with No. 14 Creighton on Sunday.

Head coach Schellas Hyndman, in his third season at the controls of the Lopes' program and 34th in collegiate soccer, didn't mince words when he said: "This is by far our best team that I've coached here."

Hyndman and the Lopes have a lot to be optimistic about heading into GCU's first fully-eligible season. Aside from bringing back a strong corps of returners including reigning WAC Offensive Player of the Year Niki Jackson, a host of new talent was infused into the roster during the offseason. Four players that saw what was building at Grand Canyon transferred from other Division I programs. Highlighting these additions, Evan Waldrep, a Creighton transfer who will face his former teammates on Sunday, was named a Top 3 Impact Transfer by Top Drawer Soccer. Joining the veterans of collegiate soccer are seven freshmen, some who are poised to contribute this season including reigning Arizona Gatorade Player of the Year, Josh Drack.

Another new spin on the season is two new additions to the coaching staff. A pair of veterans of the collegiate coaching ranks, Kevin Doyle and Tarcisio 'Cizo' Mosnia, signed on to coach at Grand Canyon. Doyle brings experience from top programs such as Creighton, Virginia Tech, Air Force and more. Mosnia was previously the head coach of Eastern Illinois University.

Amidst all the new, the spotlight is shining brightest on Jackson. GCU's most decorated Division I soccer player ranked third in goals per game (16 goals in 18 matches) a year ago and landed on the Preseason All-WAC team and MAC Hermann Award Watch List.

The Lopes have made strides under Hyndman, including a huge five-spot improvement to a fifth place finish in the WAC standings in 2016. Another steady year of improvement in 2017 would mean a favorable position for a trip to the conference tournament in the university's first year of full eligibility. Hyndman himself is 20 wins shy of the 500-win mark for his career, a plateau which only three coaches have ever reached in collegiate men's soccer.

The Omaha Mavericks are coming off of a 10-5-4 season where they narrowly missed a trip to the NCAA Tournament by allowing a last-second goal to Denver in the Summit League Championship. Omaha is picked to finish second in the Summit this season behind the aforementioned squad from Denver. The Mavs return 7 of last year's 11 starters including first team All-Summit goalkeeper Joseph Ghitis as well as last year's Summit League Newcomer of the Year, Emmanuel Hamzat.

The Lopes and Mavs square off for the third time ever, last coming in 2014 to cap off GCU's regular season. The Lopes fell to Omaha 3-0. The year before, much like this season, the teams opened the season in Omaha -- a 2-1 GCU victory.

No. 14 Creighton is coming off of a trip to the NCAA Tournament in which the Bluejays claimed two victories. Creighton topped Tulsa 3-0 and Kentucky 3-2 before being eliminated by Providence, 2-1. The Bluejays have qualified for the tournament in seven consecutive seasons. The team returns 8 of its 11 starters including senior forward Ricky Lopez-Espin who tallied 10 goals and 2 assists last season.

Sunday's meeting will mark the first ever matchup between Grand Canyon and Creighton. The Bluejays first face No. 17 Virginia Tech at home to open their season on Friday.

Following the two-match opening weekend, Grand Canyon will head back out on the road next weekend for a single match at Wisconsin. The Lopes then return home for their home opener against Evansville on Sep. 7.

For more GCU men's soccer news, notes and numbers, click here to view this week's match notes and click here to view the media guide.

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Players Mentioned

Josh Drack

Niki Jackson

Evan Waldrep

Grand Canyon University Athletics