Draw at UNLV concludes conference trip

Sunday, October 2

Las Vegas, Nev.

7 p.m.

Grand Canyon

UNLV

Photo by: Zach Campbell

10/2/2022 9:35:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

Joash scores 4th goal of season, ties for 3rd in WAC

By: Nick Macdonald

LAS VEGAS – The Grand Canyon men's soccer team ended its two-game road trip with a 2-2 draw to conference opponent UNLV on Sunday evening, leaving Las Vegas with its first point in the WAC standings.

GCU (3-5-2, 0-1-1 WAC) scored its first goal early in the contest as freshman midfielder Juan Contreras recorded his first career goal in the seventh minute. Senior forward Alec LaBarge led Contreras to the upper-left corner of the 18-yard box, where he struck a left foot on net for the goal. It was LaBarge's second assist of the season and the Lopes' quickest goal this season.

Sophomore goalkeeper Leon Schmidt made four saves, including one in the first half as GCU went into halftime with a 1-0 lead and a 5-1 shots advantage on UNLV (1-4-5, 0-1-1).

The offense maintained its pressure with two shots and two corner kicks in the first 10 minutes of the second half. Senior forward Shaun Joash added to the GCU lead with his team-leading fourth goal of the season. Joash gathered a header inside the box and made a quick move to his left past the goalkeeper for the score.

Less than two minutes later, the Rebels attacked quickly off the ensuing kick-off and got fouled inside the 18. UNLV got on the board with a penalty kick score to cut the Lopes lead to 2-1. The Rebels entered the contest 3 of 4 on penalty kicks.

The Rebels tied the match at 2-2 in the 73rd minute with another PK score. The Lopes entered the evening with two saves in two chances on penalty kicks.

GCU outshot UNLV 11-8 for the contest and nearly broke the tie in the 77th minute, when Joash sent a header toward the top right corner. But UNLV goalie Romain Heck made a diving stop and pushed the ball out of danger.

The Lopes return home for two games in three days, beginning Friday versus Utah Valley at 7 p.m. The match is part of GCU Family Weekend and includes March to the Match prior to the contest. The Lopes end the weekend with a home contest versus California Baptist at 6 p.m. Sunday, when the theme is Alhambra Elementary School District Night.