GCU plays right as rain to beat CBU

Sunday, September 30

Phoenix, Ariz.

6 p.m.

Grand Canyon

5-5, 2-1WAC

California Baptist

5-5-1, 1-2WAC

California Baptist

Grand Canyon

9/30/2018 9:16:00 PM | Men's Soccer, Paul Coro

Box Score Photo Gallery

Afonso, Smith score 1st goals amid downpour

By: <a href="http://gculopes.com/index.aspx?path=coro">Paul Coro</a>

The usual Phoenix sunshine has nothing on a Grand Canyon men's soccer win in the rain.

The rain and a 2-0 home victory Sunday night against California Baptist washed away the Lopes' recent offensive woes and a Friday night loss.

GCU recorded two upset victories against top-25 teams this season but Sunday's complete effort against the WAC newcomer topped those for head coach Schellas Hyndman, whose Lopes moved into a second-place tie in conference play.

"I thought this was by far the best game we've played all year," Hyndman said. "We matched their intensity and physical play and scored two really good goals."

The GCU Stadium grandstand was the driest spot on campus as the Lopes (5-5, 2-1 WAC) enjoyed ideal soccer weather for faster play. The rain dampened the field but did not damper GCU's spirit on the pitch or off it, where most Havocs took the party to the covered grandstand while a hearty bunch danced in the rain during the game's momentous 20th minute.

California Baptist sophomore Preston Judd, who is tied for the second-most goals scored in Division I this season, came away empty with a breakaway shot and a rebound shot on an empty goal. Lopes freshman goalkeeper George Tasouris dived to his left to stop Judd's initial shot but the carom offered a second chance, which Judd shot off the crossbar.

Twenty-one seconds later, GCU led 1-0. The Lopes countered out of the two-shot stop and set up senior midfielder Alex Radilla to dribble down the field's left side. Radillla passed to hit sophomore Marco Afonso in stride on the interior, where Afonso redirected Radilla's pass with a shot that deflected off a Lancers defender and into the net.

After six career assists, the go-ahead score was the South African's first goal of the season. Afonso hopped over a rope onto the field's north slope and jumped back over a fence to celebrate with teammates.

"That was a brilliant pass," Afonso said. "We've had a few combinations already this season so I'm hoping for more for the rest of the season."

Even with a lead, the Lopes remained the aggressors. Other than California Baptist's best scoring threat, Judd only took one other shot for the rest of the game. GCU outshot California Baptist 7-2 in the second half.

The Lopes posted their fourth shutout, tying the program's Division I record for a season. That defense has been bolstered this season by sophomore Malik Smith, whose committed offseason translated into earning a starting job this season. Sunday marked his return after missing the previous six games for injury.

Smith's diligent offseason conditioning and injury rehabilitation paid off for the cushion goal that GCU needed in the second half.

Lopes senior Jackson Jellah nearly scored on a bicycle kick in the 68th minute but his shot was tapped over the goal by the Lancers keeper, setting up sophomore forward Josh Drack's corner kick. Freshman forward Calvin Kissi redirected Drack's entry and Smith raced from the back side to score inside the far post.

"We had to put a dagger in the team," Smith said. "We knew we had to score a second goal. I knew if I got a lucky bounce or something, I'd be right there. I was lucky enough to get it on my foot and I had to finish it. Coach Kevin (Doyle) always says, 'Always expect the unexpected.' "

The Lopes expect to build on Sunday's win, which was their first multi-goal game since beating Wisconsin. GCU continues WAC play Friday at San José State.

"With this win, I'm hoping the boys will be uplifted and be more positive for the rest of the season," Afonso said. "I'm hoping it's a turning point."

Follow Paul Coro on Twitter: @paulcoro.