Rasmussen, Logan score in draw

Friday, October 11

Phoenix, Ariz.

7 p.m.

Grand Canyon

4-3-3, 1-1-2

San Jose State

2-8-1, 2-1-1

San Jose St.

Grand Canyon

10/11/2019 10:21:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score GCU-SJSU PHOTO GALLERY

Nearly 3,000 fans attend tie vs. SJSU at GCU Stadium

By: Cassidy Mace

The Grand Canyon men's soccer team battled to a double-overtime draw with San Jose State in front of 2,984 fans Friday night at GCU Stadium.

The Lopes (4-3-3, 1-1-2 WAC) tied 2-2 in a back-and-forth match with the Spartans (2-8-1, 2-1-1).

"I thought we played well," GCU head coach Schellas Hyndman said. "We gave everything we had. There were a number of players that had to come off the field just due to fatigue. I thought they really played well. They're really a talented team and they put us back on our heels. We had two opportunities to win the game with two good goals. They came back and it shows a lot of character that our guys continued to fight."

Junior midfielder Justin Rasmussen put the Lopes ahead in the 38th minute of the match, scoring his second goal of the season with assists from senior defender Austin Day and junior forward Rey Gaytan.

"It felt great, being able to get in," Rasmussen said. "It was a great combination play with Rey and Austin on the left wing. Austin played a great ball in the slot at home. It's definitely a boost, not only for myself but for the whole team to keep pushing and try to get the win."

The Lopes went into halftime with a 1-0 lead, thanks to four saves from goalkeeper George Tasouris. The sophomore tied his career high with nine saves on the night.

GCU held onto the lead until the 84th minute, when San Jose State tied the match with a goal in the back-right corner of the net.

Freshman midfielder Hugo Logan put the Lopes back in the lead with 2:41 left to play, scoring the first goal of his career from 20 feet away to put GCU ahead 2-1.

"It's pretty crazy," Logan said. "The atmosphere here is great. We love the fans coming and cheering. It was just a shame we couldn't win. I really thought I won the game but that's soccer for you."

The Spartans responded, scoring on a penalty kick in the 89th minute to send the match into overtime. After two scoreless 10-minute periods, the Lopes and Spartans drew 2-2 for GCU's third tie of the season.

"Overall, it was a tough game," Rasmussen said. "We grinded out from the beginning. They were a very technical, skillful team. They gave everything they had. We battled back, we got some points, and some results out of it, so it's a positive and we'll just move on."

The Lopes return to GCU Stadium to take on Seattle U on Sunday at 7 p.m.

"We're hoping to bring a team out there that's healthy enough to play," Hyndman said. "I'd like the guys to continue to play with this kind of intensity. They really grinded out tonight and I couldn't have asked any more from them."