GCU drops final exhibition match

The Grand Canyon men's soccer team fell 2-1 to Northwest Nazarene to finish an action-packed week at GCU Stadium. The Lopes played three matches in four days, finishing the weekend with a total of 15 goals.

Senior midfielder Justin Rasmussen scored GCU's lone goal Saturday night on an assist from junior midfielder Manuel Aranda. Rasmussen scored in two of the Lopes' three matches this week, making him one of five GCU players to finish the week with multiple goals.

Rasmussen took two shots early, sending one out top in the fourth minute before placing one on goal in the seventh to be saved in the bottom center by the Nighthawks. Lopes sophomore midfielder Charles Noyelle also took two shots in the first half but was unable to put one on goal.

GCU junior forward Calvin Kissi took a shot but was blocked in the 23rd minute. Kissi was one of two Lopes to score three goals in the first two matches combined, including two goals in GCU's 9-0 win over Benedictine and one in the 5-1 win against Northwest Nazarene. Senior forward Tosh Yasuda also recorded three goals in the Lopes' first two matches, picking up one versus Benedictine and two in the first match against the Nighthawks.

Despite GCU's offensive efforts, the first half ended in a scoreless tie.

Rasmussen's goal came in the first ten minutes of the second half, using the assist from Aranda to put the Lopes ahead 1-0 in the 54th minute.

Northwest Nazarene responded with goals in the 65th and 88th minutes, pulling ahead to take the match 2-1.

Junior Anthony Munoz spent the majority of the match in goal for the Lopes, recording three saves and allowing one goal in 70 minutes of play.

GCU hosts its season and WAC opener on Saturday at GCU Stadium. The Lopes face Utah Valley at 7 p.m. for their first official matchup since 2019.

Follow @GCU_MSoccer on Twitter and Instagram and GCU Men's Soccer on Facebook for updates.

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Players Mentioned

Manuel Aranda

Calvin Kissi

Anthony Muñoz

Charles Noyelle

Justin Rasmussen

Tosh Yasuda

Grand Canyon University Athletics