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Grand Canyon University Athletics
Clark scores; Lopes fall to Cal
8/17/2019 1:10:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Freshman from Peoria scores 1st goal of year in road exhibition
NORCO, Calif. — In its first competitive action of the fall, the Grand Canyon men's soccer team dropped a 2-1 decision to California in 120 minutes of exhibition action on Saturday.
Freshman Will Clark scored the Lopes' goal in the final moments of the second of three periods. After entering a ball into the box that was cleared by the Cal defense, the Peoria, Ariz., native regained possession and fired a shot from the top of the box to an open left side of the net.
"I would've never dreamed to score in my first game," Clark said. "But it felt amazing getting to celebrate with all my teammates and get excited with my brothers.
"The play happened because our team led a very good press and one of my teammates won the ball after we worked them back a ways. It just popped out to me or was tapped in my direction and I knew I was in good position so I took a touch and looked up and went for the far post and it came off well."
Cal scored in the final moments of the first period to take a 1-0 lead and again midway through the second period to go up 2-0.
Smith's strike pulled the Lopes within a goal, but both sides played a scoreless 30-minute third period. Sophomore Esai Easley and junior Jaime Delor got header opportunities near the goal in the third period, but Easley's was just off the mark and Delor's was saved by the keeper.
Thirty GCU players saw action in the exhibition, including four goalkeepers.
The Lopes finish their two-match exhibition schedule against Cal Poly Pomona on Wednesday.
Freshman Will Clark scored the Lopes' goal in the final moments of the second of three periods. After entering a ball into the box that was cleared by the Cal defense, the Peoria, Ariz., native regained possession and fired a shot from the top of the box to an open left side of the net.
"I would've never dreamed to score in my first game," Clark said. "But it felt amazing getting to celebrate with all my teammates and get excited with my brothers.
"The play happened because our team led a very good press and one of my teammates won the ball after we worked them back a ways. It just popped out to me or was tapped in my direction and I knew I was in good position so I took a touch and looked up and went for the far post and it came off well."
Cal scored in the final moments of the first period to take a 1-0 lead and again midway through the second period to go up 2-0.
Smith's strike pulled the Lopes within a goal, but both sides played a scoreless 30-minute third period. Sophomore Esai Easley and junior Jaime Delor got header opportunities near the goal in the third period, but Easley's was just off the mark and Delor's was saved by the keeper.
Thirty GCU players saw action in the exhibition, including four goalkeepers.
The Lopes finish their two-match exhibition schedule against Cal Poly Pomona on Wednesday.
Players Mentioned
Sydney McCray Media Availability | 5.4.26
Monday, May 04
Emily Gonzalez Media Availability | 5.4.26
Monday, May 04
Jada Cooper Media Availability | 5.4.26
Monday, May 04
Natalie Fritz Media Availability | 5.4.26
Monday, May 04