Lopes fall at No. 17 Virginia Tech

Tuesday, September 17

Blacksburg, Va. / Thompson Field

4 p.m.

Grand Canyon

3-2

Virginia Tech

5-1

Grand Canyon

Virginia Tech

9/17/2019 6:35:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

GCU drops 2nd road match to ranked opponent

By: Cassidy Mace

BLACKSBURG, Va. – The Grand Canyon men's soccer team fell to its second ranked opponent this season in a 4-0 loss at No. 17 Virginia Tech on Thursday night. The Lopes battled the Hokies in a scoreless first 43 minutes but were unable to stop an offensive run by Virginia Tech in the second half.

Defense ruled the first half of the game with both teams limiting shots on goal. Virginia Tech (5-1) maintained possession in its attacking third for a majority of the first half, recording six shots with three on goal. Sophomore goalkeeper George Tasouris made two impressive saves but GCU (3-2) was unable to stop a breakaway when the Hokies put the first goal on the board in the 44th minute.

Lopes senior midfielder Tosh Yasuda was aggressive on offense early in the game, recording the first shot from either team with a shot on goal in the third minute. GCU sophmore forward Bert Wilton and senior defender Austin Day recorded shots in the 27th and 43rd minutes, respectively, but were unable to find the back of the net.

The Hokies built upon their momentum coming out of halftime, scoring on their first shot of the half in the 48th minute. Virginia Tech continued with its high-pressure offense, putting up another shot in the 50th minute and scoring again in the 52nd minute to lead 3-0.

GCU stepped up its attack in the second half to try to keep up, recording eight shots with two on goal. Senior midfielder Pambos Aristotelous took a shot in the 61st minute, but it was blocked by the Virginia Tech defense. Tasouris made a save on a Virginia Tech breakaway to keep the Lopes in the match.

Wilton put two shots on goal in the second half and had GCU's best look of the game. He got a well-placed pass from Day in the 67th minute to set up a header, but it hit the goal post to leave the Lopes scoreless. GCU had additional scoring opportunities with four corner kicks in the second half after none in the first, but the Lopes were unable to capitalize.

Virginia Tech sealed the win with its fourth goal in the 71st minute. For the Hokies, it was their first shutout of 2019.

GCU continues nonconference play on Sunday at UC Riverside. The Lopes take on the Highlanders at 7 p.m. (Phoenix time) at UCR Soccer Stadium.