Joash scores twice in win at Chicago State

Sunday, October 3

Chicago, Ill.

10 a.m. (Phoenix Time)

Grand Canyon

8-1-0, 3-0-0

Chicago State

2-7-1, 0-3-0

Grand Canyon

Chicago St.

10/3/2021 1:39:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

No. 20 Lopes improve to 3-0 in conference play

By: Sierra Smith

CHICAGO — The No. 20 Grand Canyon men's soccer team moved to 3-0 in conference play and won its sixth consecutive match after defeating Chicago State 3-1 on Sunday.

This was the first meeting between the Lopes and Cougars as Chicago State recently reinstated its men's soccer program after over 30 years.

"Our group was able to grind out a win again under adverse circumstances," Lopes head coach Leonard Griffin said. "We showed high character and discipline during a hard-fought match."

With the victory, GCU kept pace with Air Force atop the conference table. The two WAC tournament finalists from a year ago are both 3-0 with nine points.

Chicago State scored first after drawing a foul in the GCU penalty box and converting on the penalty kick 12 minutes into the match.

In the 24th minute, GCU junior striker Shaun-Chris Joash tied the match up with a tap in off a cross by junior defender Rodolfo Prado. By the end of the first half, the Lopes were outshooting the Cougars 8-2.

Seven minutes into the second half, Chicago State received its first red card of the season and had to play with ten players.

GCU's Joash scored his second goal of the game and fourth goal of the season at the 77:35 mark. The ball was crossed into the penalty box by freshman forward Imran Omar and after being knocked around in the air by both teams, Joash was able to get a right foot on the ball, pushing it past the Chicago State goalkeeper to take the 2-1 lead.

Another red card was issued to Chicago State in the 85th minute, forcing the Cougars to play with just nine players.

Less than 30 seconds later, GCU fifth-year midfielder Justin Rasmussen added another goal to after netting a beautiful left-footed ball to the upper-left side of the goal.

The third and final Chicago State red card was given in the 87th minute.

Joash and Rasmussen now stand with fifth-year midfielder Marco Afonso as the leading goal scorers for the Lopes with four apiece.

The Lopes closed out a two-game road trip with a pair of 3-1 wins.

"I think that our whole staff and team know that there is still room for improvement and we are very pleased to come home with all six points," Griffin said.

Up next, the Lopes welcome Incarnate Word on Friday and UT Rio Grande Valley on Sunday to GCU Stadium to continue the WAC slate. Sunday night's game against the Vaqueros will be Ted Lasso Night.