GCU shuts out Santa Clara on road

Sunday, September 8

Santa Clara, Calif. / Stevens Stadium

7:30 p.m.

Grand Canyon

2-1

Santa Clara

2-2

Grand Canyon

Santa Clara

9/8/2019 9:56:00 PM | Men's Soccer

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Wilton scores 2nd goal of season for Lopes 1-0 win

By: Cassidy Mace

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The Grand Canyon men's soccer team posted its second shutout in three games this season to win 1-0 at Santa Clara on Sunday.

Sophomore forward Bert Wilton scored the Lopes' goal for his second of the season. GCU (2-1) took down the Broncos (2-2), giving redshirt sophomore goalkeeper George Tasouris his second shutout of the season.

"It went as expected," Lopes head coach Schellas Hyndman said. "They've only had home games and here was another opportunity for them to play a good team. I thought Bert scored a wonderful goal, probably the best goal I've seen him score since he's been here. And that goal held on to the end. A lot of our guys were not able to rest and it really shows. A lot of our guys just aren't ready to go two games in a row in three days. So, I was really pleased with the win.

"It was another shutout for us. The defense, George and the whole team played well. What we need to do is just enjoy it. What we wanted to do was go back 1-1 (on the trip). We played good teams. I'm really pleased with the guys and their fighting mentality."

After a 1-0 loss Friday night at Saint Mary's, the Lopes took a first-half lead Sunday night when Wilton scored an unassisted goal in the 21st minute. The goal is his second of the season after he recorded his first goal in GCU's season opener at home against Northern Kentucky.

Wilton was set up when Lopes sophomore defender Esai Easley intercepted a free ball near midfield and booted it ahead. A Santa Clara defender headed it away near the box but the carom went to Wilton, who controlled it with his right foot and then blasted a 25-yard line drive into the upper left side of the goal.

"We've had a good few games with all the boys," Wilton said. "The last few days have been tough. We played a good chip against Saint Mary's with 10 men. We were unlucky to get a loss in that, but we came back out and fought today and we got the result."

GCU freshman midfielder Hugo Logan recorded the first shot of the game by putting one on goal in the fifth minute. Lopes junior midfielder Justin Rasmussen also recorded a shot in the first half, going high in the 32nd minute of the game. Both teams took three shots in the first half with GCU putting two on goal.

The Lopes had two early chances to score in the second with corner kicks in the 48th and 49th minutes but were unable to secure the goal. Sophomore midfielder Marios Andreou took two quick shots during the second half, putting one on goal in the 55th minute.

Tasouris was tested by the first of two Santa Clara shots on goal in the 68th minute and made the save to maintain GCU's 1-0 lead.

The Lopes return to action on Thursday when they take on Oregon State (2-1) at GCU Stadium at 7 p.m.