Completed Event: Men's Soccer versus UT Rio Grande Valley on September 30, 2025 , Win , 2, to, 1
M Soccer
vs UT Rio Grande Valley
W 2-1
Grand Canyon University Athletics
Tuesday, September 13
Phoenix, Ariz.
7 p.m.
Grand Canyon
3-3-0, 0-0-0
2
vs
1
Oakland
0-5-1, 0-0-1
1
2
F
Oakland
1
0
1
Grand Canyon
1
1
2
GCU bounces back, defeats Oakland 2-1
9/13/2022 10:00:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Schmidt’s 84th-minute PK save proves vital in home victory
The Grand Canyon men's soccer team earned a bounce-back victory in front of its home crowd by defeating nonconference opponent Oakland 2-1 on Tuesday evening.
The night at GCU Stadium started with a spark from Lopes freshman midfielder Bright Nutornutsi, who scored his first career goal in the 35th minute after the Lopes' offense had mustered only one shot prior.
The goal was set up by a crossing assist from senior forward Shaun Joash, who took a left-side inbound from junior midifelder Roger Sanguinetti to feed Nutornutsi for a tap-in after the Oakland goalkeeper was drawn to senior forward Cameron Weller in the goal area. Nutornutsi was making his second appearance for the Lopes.
Oakland found an answer quickly, as Ville Ahola gathered a ball at the top of the 18-yard box and shot with his right foot toward the right post, the area where it deflected off a foot and into the left portion of the net. The contest remained tied at 1-1 after 45 minutes.
After four shots in the first half, GCU came out firing in the second half with two shots in the first four minutes. Its third shot of the half connected with the back of the net, as sophomore defender Clayton Duarte took a pass from freshman forward Zion Long and struck a left-foot shot into the goal to give the Lopes a 2-1 advantage.
Both teams had chances to find the net and Oakland's chances increased in the 84th minute, when a foul inside the box awarded the Golden Grizzlies a penalty kick. GCU sophomore goalkeeper Leon Schmidt, who saved five shots including a penalty kick in a win at then-No. 4 UCLA last week, dived to his right and made an outstretched save to keep the Lopes' lead intact. Two minutes later, Schmidt stopped another shot – his fourth of the match – and the defense kept Oakland at bay for the remainder of the game.
Oakland outshot GCU 14-12, while the Lopes led 6-4 in corner kicks. The win moved GCU back to .500 (3-3) and improved its home record to 2-2.
The Lopes have two tough tests awaiting, starting with a match at No. 18 UC Santa Barbara on Saturday. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. (Phoenix time). Following the road trip, the Lopes come back home and host nationally ranked and 2021 national runner-up Washington on Saturday, Sept. 24. The Huskies are ranked No. 4 in the country.
The night at GCU Stadium started with a spark from Lopes freshman midfielder Bright Nutornutsi, who scored his first career goal in the 35th minute after the Lopes' offense had mustered only one shot prior.
The goal was set up by a crossing assist from senior forward Shaun Joash, who took a left-side inbound from junior midifelder Roger Sanguinetti to feed Nutornutsi for a tap-in after the Oakland goalkeeper was drawn to senior forward Cameron Weller in the goal area. Nutornutsi was making his second appearance for the Lopes.
A spark play from Bright! 🔆
— GCU Men's Soccer (@GCU_MSoccer) September 14, 2022
Bright Nutornutsi scores his first career goal and puts GCU up 1-0!#LopesUp pic.twitter.com/qVtJVs44xZ
Oakland found an answer quickly, as Ville Ahola gathered a ball at the top of the 18-yard box and shot with his right foot toward the right post, the area where it deflected off a foot and into the left portion of the net. The contest remained tied at 1-1 after 45 minutes.
After four shots in the first half, GCU came out firing in the second half with two shots in the first four minutes. Its third shot of the half connected with the back of the net, as sophomore defender Clayton Duarte took a pass from freshman forward Zion Long and struck a left-foot shot into the goal to give the Lopes a 2-1 advantage.
Left foot STRIKE ⚡️
— GCU Men's Soccer (@GCU_MSoccer) September 14, 2022
Second goal for Duarte. Second goal for the Lopes ⚽️⚽️#LopesUp pic.twitter.com/mD1uQo0ta6
Both teams had chances to find the net and Oakland's chances increased in the 84th minute, when a foul inside the box awarded the Golden Grizzlies a penalty kick. GCU sophomore goalkeeper Leon Schmidt, who saved five shots including a penalty kick in a win at then-No. 4 UCLA last week, dived to his right and made an outstretched save to keep the Lopes' lead intact. Two minutes later, Schmidt stopped another shot – his fourth of the match – and the defense kept Oakland at bay for the remainder of the game.
Another PK save for Leon Schmidt!! 🛑
— GCU Men's Soccer (@GCU_MSoccer) September 14, 2022
His save keeps the Lopes out in front, 2-1!#LopesUp pic.twitter.com/Ew6hQWmo6Y
Oakland outshot GCU 14-12, while the Lopes led 6-4 in corner kicks. The win moved GCU back to .500 (3-3) and improved its home record to 2-2.
The Lopes have two tough tests awaiting, starting with a match at No. 18 UC Santa Barbara on Saturday. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. (Phoenix time). Following the road trip, the Lopes come back home and host nationally ranked and 2021 national runner-up Washington on Saturday, Sept. 24. The Huskies are ranked No. 4 in the country.
Team Stats
OAK
GCU
Goals
1
2
Shots
14
12
Shots on Goal
5
5
Saves
3
4
Corners
4
6
Fouls
8
19
Scoring Plays
Bright Nutornutsi (1)
Assisted By: Shaun Joash , Roger Sanguinetti
GOAL by GCU Nutornutsi, Bright Assist by Joash, Shaun and Sanguinetti, Roger.
34:49
Ville Ahola (1)
Assisted By: Dawsun Schrum
GOAL by OAK Ahola, Ville Assist by Schrum, Dawsun.
39:10
Clayton Duarte (2)
Assisted By: Zion Long , Alexis Canales
GOAL by GCU Duarte, Clayton Assist by Long, Zion and Canales, Alexis.
50:03
Game Leaders
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
fwd
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Players Mentioned
D/M
/ Men's SoccerF
/ Men's SoccerM/F
/ Men's Soccer
M/D
/ Men's Soccer
GK
/ Men's Soccer
F
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