GCU drops overtime decision

Friday, September 7

Evansville, Ind.

4:30 p.m.

Grand Canyon

2-1, 0-0WAC

Evansville

1-2-2, 0-0MVC

OT 2

Grand Canyon

Evansville

9/7/2018 6:47:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

No. 24 Lopes handed 1st loss of season

By: Josh Hauser

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Despite 15 shots and 10 corner kicks, the 24th-ranked Grand Canyon men's soccer team was held scoreless and surrendered an overtime goal in a 1-0 loss at Evansville on Friday night.

In the 98th minute, an Evansville goal kick was headed past the midfield and found Purple Aces forward Ben Weber. GCU defender Malik Smith recovered to nearly break up the attack but Weber retained possession. The junior forward took a shot that was slowed on a deflection by Lopes goalkeeper George Tasouris but maintained course to the back of the net.

A pregame rainstorm delayed the kickoff at McCutchan Stadium and slowed down the pace of the offense for GCU (2-1) and Evansville (1-2-2), contributing to the lack of scoring. Most notably, GCU sophomore forward Josh Drack had an unmarked opportunity near the top of the box in the final stages of the first half. Drack slipped on the damp surface and could not get off a full-strength shot, allowing the keeper to stop the attempt.

After being caught out of position early in the match and bailed out by his defense, Tasouris kept the match scoreless through regulation and recorded seven saves. Evansville had dangerous attacks thwarted by Tasouris in the closing seconds of each half, including an impressive stop with just seconds remaining in regulation. The freshman also tipped a ball narrowly over the crossbar to keep the match scoreless going into halftime.

The Lopes had their share of offensive opportunities, including 10 corner kicks. Alex Radilla keyed a corner in the 33rd minute that was deflected back to him for a solid strike that was tipped away by the keeper.

Drack led GCU's scoring opportunities, taking five shots with two coming on goal. Alex Ramirez and Marco Afonso each took three shots.

Evansville flipped the script from the programs' meeting in 2017, when the Lopes won 1-0 to hand their ranked opponent its first loss of the season.

GCU will look to rebound from its first loss when it returns to the pitch Sunday evening at Southern Illinois Edwardsville. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. (Phoenix time).