Lopes begin 2-game road trip at CSU Bakersfield

Thursday, September 1

Bakersfield, Calif.

7 p.m.

Grand Canyon

CSU Bakersfield

8/31/2022 10:41:00 AM | Men's Soccer

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GCU looks to bounce back from tough loss Sunday

By: Nick Macdonald

Thursday, Sept. 1 \| 7 p.m. \| CSUB Main Soccer Field \| Bakersfield, Calif.

	CSU Bakersfield ROADRUNNERS (0-2)	vs.	GRAND CANYON LOPES (1-1)

WATCH: ESPN+ \| STATS: View

The Grand Canyon men's soccer team heads on the road for the first time this season and visits Bakersfield, California, for a Thursday night matchup versus CSU Bakersfield at 7 p.m.

AT A GLANCE

The Lopes hit the road for the first time this season and travel to Bakersfield, California, for a night contest at CSU Bakersfield.
Sophomore defender Clayton Duarte and senior forward Shaun Joash have both goals for the Lopes this season, while senior forward Cameron Weller and redshirt sophomore midfielder Jibril Rodet have both assists.
Joash returns a year after totaling 22 points with nine goals and four assists. Joash was named WAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year.
Senior defender Rodolfo Prado, a Bakersfield native, returns a year after earning All-WAC second-team accolades. Prado and Joash were named Preseason All-WAC this year.

LAST TIME OUT

GCU (1-1) is coming off a tough loss versus Denver, which scored the winning goal in the final four minutes of a match that saw 26 fouls and 12 yellow cards.
Joash scored the lone goal for the Lopes in the 34th minute, taking a free kick cross from Rodet to equalize the match at 1-1.
The home loss was only the second in the past three seasons. Since 2020, GCU is 14-2-1 at GCU Stadium.

HOMECOMING FOR COACH GARCES

First-year assistant coach James Garces returns to his alma mater for the first time as a Lope. Garces spent the past seven seasons at CSU Bakersfield as an assistant coach and earned the title of associate head coach in January before joining the Lopes' staff.
Garces was a two-time Academic All-WAC selection, anchoring the back line and helping the Roadrunners earn its first-ever NCAA Division I tournament appearance in 2011 as a freshman. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in Communications in 2014 and a master's degree in Public Administration in 2016.
Joining coach Garces in a Bakersfield-area homecoming are senior defender Rodolfo Prado and sophomore midfielder Andrew Gonzalez. Prado attended Mira Monte High School and spent time at UC Merced before joining GCU last year, while Gonzalez went to Ridgeview High School and played at Bakersfield College last season.

LOPES GO 1-1 IN TOUGH HOME TESTS

GCU started the season 1-1, shutting out (RV) Virginia Tech 1-0 before falling in a close battle to Denver 2-1. Both games were held at GCU Stadium on Aug. 25 and Aug. 28, respectively.
Sophomore defender Clayton Duarte played hero in the season opener versus the Hokies, scoring an early second-half goal to give the Lopes just enough to go home with the victory. The back line of defense, led by captain Rodolfo Prado, held off Virginia Tech's late attack while senior goalkeeper Anthony Muñoz earned his third career shutout.
Senior forward Shaun Joash scored in the 2-1 loss to Denver for his 10th career goal as a Lope, spanning back to last season.

SCOUTING REPORT

CSU Bakersfield dropped its first two contests of the season on the road, falling to San Jose State 2-0 and Pacific 4-2.
The Roadrunners are 6-7-1 in their past two seasons at home (2019 and 2021).
These teams met a season ago in Phoenix with the Lopes prevailing 2-1 on Aug. 29, 2021.
The Roadrunners lead the all-time series 25-7-1 and are 3-2 in the past five seasons versus GCU.

WHAT'S NEXT?

GCU stays in the Golden State and heads to UCLA, where it will face the Bruins on Monday at 7 p.m.
UCLA entered the season No. 23 in the United Soccer Coaches' Preseason Poll and won its first two games.
Live coverage can be found on the Pac-12 Network.