Jellah leads upset of No. 8 Air Force

Sunday, October 28

Phoenix, Ariz.

1 p.m.

Grand Canyon

8-8, 5-4WAC

Air Force

15-3, 8-2WAC

Air Force

Grand Canyon

10/28/2018 4:15:00 PM | Men's Soccer

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Lopes log 4th top-25 win, clinch tournament berth in home finale

By: Josh Hauser

Grand Canyon senior forward Jackson Jellah has caught fire at the right time.

For the second straight match, it was a goal from Jellah that helped the Lopes upset one of the WAC's top teams. On Sunday at GCU Stadium, Jellah's 27th-minute goal paved the way for the Lopes' fourth win over a top-25 opponent this season with a 1-0 victory against No. 8 Air Force.

"Jackson has come alive," GCU head coach Schellas Hyndman. "If you look at our game against (No. 25) Seattle U on the road, here against Utah Valley, today — he scores. He has been such a great player for us these last few games. He's been getting results. He's starting to become a difference-maker."

In combination with a Houston Baptist loss, the Lopes have officially qualified for the WAC Tournament. Pending results from the final week of conference play, GCU could be as high as the No. 3 seed or as low as the No. 7 seed when the tournament begins in Seattle on Nov. 7.

Fellow senior Sam Gardner delivered the ball to Jellah from midfield. Angling toward the net from the right wing, Jellah beat his man and found the top-left corner of the net.

GCU (8-8, 5-4 WAC) continues to build on its impressive resume of big-time victories. After not having recorded a top-25 win over a Division I opponent prior to this season, the Lopes are now 4-0 against ranked teams with wins against No. 12 Wisconsin, No. 20 Creighton, No. 25 Seattle U and No. 8 Air Force (15-3, 8-2 WAC).

"When we play good teams, we're ready to go out on the field," Hyndman said. "Winning is contagious. We all have the passion for soccer, but do you have the will power to compete for every ball, fight for everything, get your chance. Today, we really did."

After a dormant first half, Air Force's attack picked up in the second half. The Falcons edged the Lopes 9-8 in second-half shots. GCU freshman goalkeeper George Tasouris made eight saves, and junior defender Julien Armaroli came up with a big clear on the touch line of an open net in the 73rd minute.

The Lopes handed Air Force their third loss of the season while the Falcons were held scoreless for just the second time this year.

Sunday's match represented the final home game in the college careers of Jellah, Gardner, Alex Radilla, Alex Ramirez and Shawn Spitzer.

"That little bit of excitement for the game that's played for the seniors is important," Hyndman said. "The seniors that played did a good job."

The Lopes conclude the regular season Friday at UNLV (10-8-1, 5-4-1) on Friday with a 7 p.m. kickoff.

"If you're going to play your best soccer, you want it to be at the right time," Hyndman said. "We started off the season with two big, big wins. We kind of had to work our way back to what it took to win. These two teams are outstanding teams, you can see by their records. We're playing our best soccer right now."