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
Saturday, September 16
Phoenix, Ariz.
7 p.m.
Grand Canyon
4-3-0, 0-0-0
1
vs
0
San Diego
5-2-1, 0-0-0
1
2
F
San Diego
0
0
0
Grand Canyon
1
0
1
Photo by: Wesley Kurz
Lopez's goal lifts Lopes over No. 22 San Diego
9/16/2023 10:46:00 PM | Men's Soccer
GCU's notches 8th victory over top-25 opponent in Division I era
The old saying is holding true for Grand Canyon so far this season at GCU Stadium – there's no place like home.
GCU shut out its opponent for the third straight match, defeating No. 22 San Diego 1-0 in front of 1,535 fans on Saturday's Los Lopes night.
The streak of three straight shutout victories has only been done once before in GCU's DIvision I era, matching the Lopes magical championship run in the 2018 WAC Tournament. GCU repeated the feat at home with its eighth victory over a top-25 opponent in the 11-year Division I era.
"We're just continuing to gain confidence," Lopes head coach Mike Kraus said. "It's a young group that's trying to fight through. We had a terrific goal and a great start to the game. Then, we found a way to be gritty and keep a third shutout at home. We gave up some chances to a terrific, well-coached team, and they had us up against it for a little bit, but ultimately our guys stayed strong and were able to keep a shutout."
It took GCU (4-3) five minutes to record its first shot on frame, but it nearly took the lead after back-to-back shots by freshman forward Solo Bidanessy and sophomore forward Bright Nutornusti were saved by San Diego goalkeeper Donovan Parisian.
Lopes freshman midfielder Jorge Lopez made the third shot count two minutes later. Sophomore midfielder Cameron Cruz dribbled to his left toward the top of the 18-yard box and found Nutornusti, who had a nifty back heel flip to assist Lopez at the top of the box. Lopez struck a right foot toward the far-right corner of the goal for the score.
The goal was the second in as many games for the Bakersfield, California, native. GCU outshot San Diego 7-4 for the half and held the 1-0 lead into halftime.
"He's a guy that's up for the moment," Kraus said of Lopez. "He wants the ball in big moments. He wants to have the spotlight on him, and we want him to have that too. He's a player who can make plays and create things for others and also bury chances himself."
The Toreros (5-2-1) dominated the possession numbers in the second half and put themselves in prime position to tie the match after a penalty was awarded one minute into the half. Mason Unbridge took the penalty kick but missed high and left of the goal. Minutes later, San Diego's Steven Ramirez put a shot on goal that hit the top of the crossbar and deflected back to Rhys Gourdie, whose shot sailed high of the goal.
GCU's defensive presence stepped up as the half went on, thwarting all 13 shots the Toreros had in the second half. Lopes junior goalkeeper Leon Schmidt's presence in goal aided that cause, as he tallied three saves and came up with clutch moments to keep the ball out of the box. Schmidt punched out a corner kick in the 73rd minute and dived on loose balls to keep the clock moving in the Lopes' favor.
An offside call on the Toreros with 17 seconds sealed the victory for GCU, which has outscored its opposition 7-0 in the past three games. Schmidt, who entered the night fifth in the country in saves, reached 40 for the season with the win.
The Lopes conclude their four-game homestand on Wednesday against Houston Christian. Start time is set for 7 p.m.
GCU shut out its opponent for the third straight match, defeating No. 22 San Diego 1-0 in front of 1,535 fans on Saturday's Los Lopes night.
The streak of three straight shutout victories has only been done once before in GCU's DIvision I era, matching the Lopes magical championship run in the 2018 WAC Tournament. GCU repeated the feat at home with its eighth victory over a top-25 opponent in the 11-year Division I era.
"We're just continuing to gain confidence," Lopes head coach Mike Kraus said. "It's a young group that's trying to fight through. We had a terrific goal and a great start to the game. Then, we found a way to be gritty and keep a third shutout at home. We gave up some chances to a terrific, well-coached team, and they had us up against it for a little bit, but ultimately our guys stayed strong and were able to keep a shutout."
It took GCU (4-3) five minutes to record its first shot on frame, but it nearly took the lead after back-to-back shots by freshman forward Solo Bidanessy and sophomore forward Bright Nutornusti were saved by San Diego goalkeeper Donovan Parisian.
Lopes freshman midfielder Jorge Lopez made the third shot count two minutes later. Sophomore midfielder Cameron Cruz dribbled to his left toward the top of the 18-yard box and found Nutornusti, who had a nifty back heel flip to assist Lopez at the top of the box. Lopez struck a right foot toward the far-right corner of the goal for the score.
LOPES LEAD VIA LOPEZ!!
— GCU Men's Soccer (@GCU_MSoccer) September 17, 2023
The freshman puts GCU ahead, 1-0‼️#LopesUp pic.twitter.com/z0ERy8u28T
The goal was the second in as many games for the Bakersfield, California, native. GCU outshot San Diego 7-4 for the half and held the 1-0 lead into halftime.
"He's a guy that's up for the moment," Kraus said of Lopez. "He wants the ball in big moments. He wants to have the spotlight on him, and we want him to have that too. He's a player who can make plays and create things for others and also bury chances himself."
The Toreros (5-2-1) dominated the possession numbers in the second half and put themselves in prime position to tie the match after a penalty was awarded one minute into the half. Mason Unbridge took the penalty kick but missed high and left of the goal. Minutes later, San Diego's Steven Ramirez put a shot on goal that hit the top of the crossbar and deflected back to Rhys Gourdie, whose shot sailed high of the goal.
GCU's defensive presence stepped up as the half went on, thwarting all 13 shots the Toreros had in the second half. Lopes junior goalkeeper Leon Schmidt's presence in goal aided that cause, as he tallied three saves and came up with clutch moments to keep the ball out of the box. Schmidt punched out a corner kick in the 73rd minute and dived on loose balls to keep the clock moving in the Lopes' favor.
An offside call on the Toreros with 17 seconds sealed the victory for GCU, which has outscored its opposition 7-0 in the past three games. Schmidt, who entered the night fifth in the country in saves, reached 40 for the season with the win.
The Lopes conclude their four-game homestand on Wednesday against Houston Christian. Start time is set for 7 p.m.
Team Stats
USD
GCU
Goals
0
1
Shots
17
10
Shots on Goal
3
4
Saves
3
3
Corners
3
2
Fouls
7
8
Scoring Plays
Jorge Lopez (2)
Assisted By: Bright Nutornutsi , Cameron Cruz
GOAL by GCU Lopez, Jorge Assist by Nutornutsi, Bright and Cruz, Cameron.
07:56
Game Leaders
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
3
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's SoccerM
/ Men's SoccerM
/ Men's Soccer
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