Completed Event: Men's Soccer versus CSUN on September 26, 2025 , Win , 2, to, 0
M Soccer
vs CSUN
W 2-0
Grand Canyon University Athletics
Saturday, September 17
Santa Barbara, Calif.
7 p.m.
Grand Canyon
at
UC Santa Barbara
Photo by: Rachel Sollazzo
GCU travels to No. 18 UC Santa Barbara
9/16/2022 11:24:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Lopes begin 1st of 2 straight games vs. nationally ranked foes
Saturday, Sept. 17 | 7 p.m. | Harder Stadium | Santa Barbara, Calif. |
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No. 18 UC Santa Barbara
GAUCHOS (4-1-1, 0-0)
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vs. | GRAND CANYON LOPES (3-3, 0-0) |
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| WATCH: ESPN+Â |Â STATS: View | ||||
AT A GLANCE
- GCU enters its toughest stretch of the season as it plays back-to-back nationally ranked contests at No. 18Â UC Santa Barbara and No. 4 Washington. The Lopes are 2-0 against teams who are ranked or receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches poll.
- Three Lopes have two goals this year, including seniors Shaun Joash and Alec LaBarge and sophomore Clayton Duarte. Joash leads the team with seven points (2 goals, 3 assists).
- Sophomore goalkeeper Leon Schmidt has stepped up in a big way since being named the starter for the win at No. 4 UCLA, stopping 11 shots with two penalty kick saves. Schmidt and senior Anthony Muñoz have combined for 20 saves in six games this year.
LAST TIME OUT
- GCU earned a bounce-back victory Tuesday evening at home as it took down Oakland 2-1 to get back to .500 on the season.
- Freshman Bright Nutornutsi and Duarte both scored, with Duarte's goal being the game-winner in the 51st minute.
- Schmidt stopped four shots, including a critical penalty kick in the 84th minute. The PK save was his second of the season after also stopping one at No. 4 UCLA.
YOUNG CORE STEPPING UPÂ
- Among GCU's eight goals this season, four have come from underclassmen while sophomore goalkeeper Leon Schmidt has shined in goal with 11 saves and a 2-1 record.
- Freshmen Zion Long and Bright Nutornutsi scored their first career goals at No. 4 UCLA and versus Oakland, respectively, while sophomore Clayton Duarte has scored twice - both game-winners - versus Virginia Tech and Oakland.
- Head coach Mike Kraus has changed lineups through the first six contests as six underclassmen, including three freshmen, made the start against Oakland on Tuesday.
JOASH LEADS WAC IN POINTS
- Joash, the WAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year selection, enters the weekend as the conference leader in points with seven, totaling two goals and three assists.
- The senior forward scored in back-to-back games versus Denver and at Cal State Bakersfield and tallied two assists at No. 4 UCLA. He aided Bright Nutornutsi's goal against Oakland on Tuesday with an assist in the 35th minute. Joash finished last season with 22 points (9 goals, 4 assists).
SCOUTING REPORT
- The Gauchos enter the match at 4-1-1 after a three-game winning streak.
- UCSB has wins against No. 24 Loyola Marymount and Oregon State with a tie against No. 19 Missouri State. It's lone loss was a 2-1 home defeat vs. Cornell.
WHAT'S NEXT?Â
- The Lopes return home and host No. 4Â Washington on Saturday, Sept. 24, at 7:30 p.m.
- Washington defeated GCU in the first round of the NCAA tournament during the spring 2021 tournament. Washington advanced to the Elite Eight that season while finishing as the national runner-ups last season.
Players Mentioned
D/M
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
M/D
/ Men's Soccer
M/F
/ Men's Soccer
GK
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