Completed Event: Men's Soccer versus Cleveland State on August 25, 2025 , Win , 3, to, 1
M Soccer
vs Cleveland State
W 3-1
Grand Canyon University Athletics
Photo by: Zach Campbell
Revamped squad aims high for 2023
7/28/2023 12:11:00 PM | Men's Soccer
16 new players, 3 All-WAC Lopes return for new season
Grand Canyon men's soccer head coach Mike Kraus and the Lopes are less than one month from their season opener at Wake Forest, where a mix of All-WAC returners and new faces look to keep the momentum gained toward the end of last season for 2023 and beyond.
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GCU finished 7-8-3 with a 4-3-2 WAC record last year and ended the season strongly, tallying at least a point in six of its final eight regular-season games to clinch a spot in the WAC Tournament.
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The Lopes welcome 16 newcomers to this season's roster with a mix of freshman and transfer talent including overseas experience.
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GCU begins the campaign with an Aug. 15 exhibition match against Salt Lake Community College in Herriman, Utah, followed by a home match exhibition match versus Arizona Christian at 7 p.m. The regular season begins with four straight road games, starting Aug. 24 at nationally ranked Wake Forest. The Lopes' home opener is Friday, Sept. 8, vs. Stetson at 7 p.m.
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Below is a quick introduction with biographies and Kraus quotes on each player joining GCU this season:
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GCU finished 7-8-3 with a 4-3-2 WAC record last year and ended the season strongly, tallying at least a point in six of its final eight regular-season games to clinch a spot in the WAC Tournament.
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The Lopes welcome 16 newcomers to this season's roster with a mix of freshman and transfer talent including overseas experience.
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GCU begins the campaign with an Aug. 15 exhibition match against Salt Lake Community College in Herriman, Utah, followed by a home match exhibition match versus Arizona Christian at 7 p.m. The regular season begins with four straight road games, starting Aug. 24 at nationally ranked Wake Forest. The Lopes' home opener is Friday, Sept. 8, vs. Stetson at 7 p.m.
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Below is a quick introduction with biographies and Kraus quotes on each player joining GCU this season:
Jesus Lozano / Goalkeeper / 6-1 / Phoenix, Arizona / Canal Winchester
"Lozano enters GCU as a local product with experience playing for a top MLS Academy with the Columbus Crew. Lozano's experience has been valuable from all levels with the Crew, including their academy, MLS Next Pro Team and MLS first-team training. Lozano's shot stopping and distribution are key assets to his game." — KrausWillem Ficek / Goalkeeper / 6-3 / Eugene, Oregon / Marist Catholic
"Ficek enters the Valley after spending a year in the top level Eture Gap Year program, training and playing with high level Spanish teams. His size and ability to command the area will make him valuable inside the box." — KrausEmmanuel Martinez / Forward / 5-11 / Dallas, Texas / Frisco Memorial
"A product of the FC Dallas Academy, Martinez joins GCU as a player who already possesses many of the intangibles we look for at GCU. He has an impressive work ethic and is dynamic in his ability to paly across the front line." — KrausMatthew Sacristan / Midfielder / 6-2 / Madrid, Spain / Laurel Springs International School
"With experience in his home country of Spain, Sacristan is a composed and cerebral central midfielder with the ability to build the game and set the tempo. We know he is a player that has maturity to contribute the right way with experience playing overseas." — KrausParker Gamboa / Midfielder / 5-8 / Carlsbad, California / San Marcos
"Gamboa has experience with two MLS Next academies, including Houston Dynamo and City SC. He enters Phoenix with an abundance of pace and is very tricky in 1v1 situations. He has a nose for the goal and an ability to create exciting plays." — KrausGabin Barreau / Forward / 5-7 / Capdenac-Gare, France / Lycee Alexis Monteil
"Barreau holds incredible composure with a true instinct for the goal. His determination with or without the ball make a real difference for the players around him. His past collegiate experience, as well as his high-level play in France, will add value to our lineup straight away." — KrausLorenzo Mendoza / Defender / 6-1 / Mesa, Arizona / Real Salt Lake Academy / Cal Poly
"Mendoza, a Mesa native, returns home after a stint at Cal Poly. Our staff takes pride in adding local players to our squad and we know Mendoza has a passion and hunger to help GCU soccer succeed. Mendoza possess composure and grit that will be added to our backline." — KrausDiego Veliz / Defender / 5-11 / Tucson, Arizona / Salpointe Catholic
"Veliz comes to Phoenix via Tucson, where he played for FC Tucson and was an impact player at right back. His soccer IQ and desire to continue to improve each training and game will add positively to our group." — KrausLeonardo Landeros / Midfielder / 5-8 / Phoenix, Arizona / University
"Landeros is another local player who was a GCU fan long before joining the soccer program. He adds consistency of technique and an understanding of how GCU desires to play. He is comfortable receiving in tight spaces, and we know he will battle each and every day in a Lopes jersey." — KrausLucas Fecci / Forward / 5-10 / Somers, New York / Somers / SUNY Oneonta
"An All-American transfer from SUNY Oneonta, Fecci joins us for his final year of collegiate competition. He brings experience with the ability to score and will add a high level of maturity across the front line." — KrausJorge Lopez / Midfielder / 5-9 / Bakersfield, California / Bakersfield
"Lopez joins the Lopes via the San Jose Earthquake academy and has made huge strides in the short time here since entering during the spring season. Lopez will be a key part of our midfield and contribute for years to come. His work rate, eye for a pass and ability to combine will add value and variety to the central areas of the field." — KrausSergio Martinez / Defender / 6-2 / Bogota, Columbia / Gimnasio Makarenko
"Martinez enters Phoenix via Salt Lake Community College, where he won an NJCAA national championship. He has great combination of size and technical ability for a defender, and we are excited to have him on the back line this season." — KrausSolo Bidanessy / Forward / 5-8 / Bamako, France / Ministry of National Education
"Bidanessy possesses a unique combination of pace and power and is a constant threat behind the ball. With great pedigree and experience in Montpellier in France, he has already shown how dangerous he can be during the spring season." — KrausCezar Onut / Midfielder / 5-8 / Ploiesti, Romania / Cambridge School of Constanta
"Onut comes to GCU after spending time in Romania and with the Houston Dynamo Academy. Onut is a highly technical central midfielder that demonstrates incredible calmness under pressure. His problem solving with the ball leads him to find solutions with his clever movement to receive." — KrausAner Gonzalez / Midfielder / 5-11 / Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico / IDEA Toros
"Gonzalez has already shown himself to be a great teammate and fantastic worker over the spring campaign. He has committed himself to 100% effort in each session we have had. He comes to GCU via the RGV Academy in Texas and brings experience in training with a first-team environment." — KrausJohan Morel / Defender / 6-2 / Boulogne-sur-Mer, France / Lycee Giraux Sannier
"Morel brings high level experience in France with AS Nancy and U21 experience with the Slovakian National Team. We expect him to be a commanding force in the backline and a composed leader." - KrausÂ
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/ Men's SoccerGCU Athletics 2025-26 Welcome Back
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