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
Thursday, October 19
Phoenix, Ariz.
7 p.m.
Grand Canyon
6-6-2, 1-3-1
0
vs
1
Utah Tech
8-6-0, 4-2-0
1
2
F
Utah Tech
0
1
1
Grand Canyon
0
0
0
Photo by: David Kadlubowski
Lopes drop home contest to Utah Tech
10/19/2023 10:18:00 PM | Men's Soccer
1-0 loss marks 1st defeat of season at GCU Stadium
The Grand Canyon men's soccer team fell 1-0 to Utah Tech on Thursday evening for its first loss this season at GCU Stadium.
The Lopes entered Thursday night on a six-match unbeaten streak at home, but the loss moves GCU to 6-6-2 overall and 1-3-1 in WAC play. With three games left to play, the Lopes are tied for seventh in the WAC standings, one point behind Utah Valley and tied with UT Rio Grande Valley. The top six teams qualify for the WAC Tournament in Las Vegas on Nov. 5-11.
Both teams combined for 26 shots as the Lopes finished one shot shy of its season high with 17, including 11 in the second half. The game's first 20 minutes only saw two shots before both teams combined for 10 shots over the final 25 minutes of the first half. GCU nearly broke the 0-0 tie in the 36th minute, but a team save at the goal line by the Utah Tech defense held the Lopes off the scoreboard.
After multiple bounces and headers inside the 18-yard box, Lopes sophomore defender Uriel Diaz Loza attempted a volley on net toward the center of the goal. Utah Tech's goalkeeper was out of position, but a defender had a sideways volley at the goal line to send the ball out of play.
Trailblazers midfielder Bryce Backlund scored the match's only goal in the 67th minute.
The Lopes held Utah Tech (8-6, 4-2 WAC) to nine shots, the third lowest this season for the opposition. GCU pressured the Trailblazers' back line with five shots in the first 15 minutes of the second half but couldn't find the back of the net as it fell 1-0 for the second consecutive match.
GCU had a season-high 11 corner kicks, including nine in the second half. Lopes sophomore goalkeeper Leon Schmidt tallied two saves.
With three matches left to play, GCU next hosts UNLV on Sunday for Senior Night. It then heads on the road for matches at Air Force (Oct. 26) and the regular-season finale at Utah Valley (Oct. 30). UNLV is third in the WAC standings, while Air Force is ninth and Utah Valley is sixth.
Sunday's matchup against the Rebels begins at 7 p.m., with GCU honoring its seniors prior to the match.
The Lopes entered Thursday night on a six-match unbeaten streak at home, but the loss moves GCU to 6-6-2 overall and 1-3-1 in WAC play. With three games left to play, the Lopes are tied for seventh in the WAC standings, one point behind Utah Valley and tied with UT Rio Grande Valley. The top six teams qualify for the WAC Tournament in Las Vegas on Nov. 5-11.
Both teams combined for 26 shots as the Lopes finished one shot shy of its season high with 17, including 11 in the second half. The game's first 20 minutes only saw two shots before both teams combined for 10 shots over the final 25 minutes of the first half. GCU nearly broke the 0-0 tie in the 36th minute, but a team save at the goal line by the Utah Tech defense held the Lopes off the scoreboard.
After multiple bounces and headers inside the 18-yard box, Lopes sophomore defender Uriel Diaz Loza attempted a volley on net toward the center of the goal. Utah Tech's goalkeeper was out of position, but a defender had a sideways volley at the goal line to send the ball out of play.
Trailblazers midfielder Bryce Backlund scored the match's only goal in the 67th minute.
The Lopes held Utah Tech (8-6, 4-2 WAC) to nine shots, the third lowest this season for the opposition. GCU pressured the Trailblazers' back line with five shots in the first 15 minutes of the second half but couldn't find the back of the net as it fell 1-0 for the second consecutive match.
GCU had a season-high 11 corner kicks, including nine in the second half. Lopes sophomore goalkeeper Leon Schmidt tallied two saves.
With three matches left to play, GCU next hosts UNLV on Sunday for Senior Night. It then heads on the road for matches at Air Force (Oct. 26) and the regular-season finale at Utah Valley (Oct. 30). UNLV is third in the WAC standings, while Air Force is ninth and Utah Valley is sixth.
Sunday's matchup against the Rebels begins at 7 p.m., with GCU honoring its seniors prior to the match.
Team Stats
UTU
GCU
Goals
1
0
Shots
9
17
Shots on Goal
3
4
Saves
3
2
Corners
6
11
Fouls
9
15
Scoring Plays
Bryce Backlund (2)
Assisted By: Jerod Allen
GOAL by UTU Backlund, Bryce Assist by Allen, Jerod.
66:06
Game Leaders
Shots
3
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
mid
Shots
2
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
fwd
Shots
2
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
D
/ Men's Soccer
GK
/ Men's SoccerInside the Locker Room: Coach Drew’s Pregame Message to Team
Tuesday, November 04
GCU Men's Basketball vs. Purdue Fort Wayne - Postgame with Jaden Henley, Nana Owusu-Anane
Tuesday, November 04
GCU Men's Basketball vs. Purdue Fort Wayne - Postgame with Bryce Drew
Tuesday, November 04
GCU Men's Basketball vs. Purdue Fort Wayne - Highlights
Tuesday, November 04