Lopes open WAC play Sunday at California Baptist

Sunday, October 1

Riverside, Calif.

6 p.m. (Phoenix time)

Grand Canyon

California Baptist

Photo by: David Kadlubowski

9/30/2023 10:36:00 AM | Men's Soccer

GCU enters with 5 game unbeaten streak, 4-0-1 in that span

By: Nick Macdonald

Sunday, Oct. 1 \| 6 p.m. \| CBU Soccer Stadium \| Riverside, Calif.

	CALIFORNIA BAPTIST LANCERS (2-4-2)	vs.	GRAND CANYON LOPES (5-3-1)

WATCH: ESPN+ \| STATS: Link

GCU enters Riverside, California, to take on California Baptist in its WAC opener Sunday evening at CBU Soccer Stadium.
The Lopes enter with a five game unbeaten streak (4-0-1) with its most recent results at 1-1 tie at No. 2 SMU Wednesday.
Sophomore forward Bright Nutornutsi extended his own streak of five games with a point. He has four goals and four assists during that span and ranks 10th nationally in total points (16). His point total is second in the WAC, while his six goals and four assists are also second in the conference.
Junior goalie Leon Schmidt ranks second nationally with 48 saves. He has seven games with at least five saves this season and has recorded three shutouts during the Lopes' five game unbeaten streak. He's ninth in the country in goalie minutes played (810) and 10th in saves per game (5.4).
GCU ranks No. 21 in the first NCAA RPI rankings of the season. It holds a 4-2-1 record against teams in the Top-100 and is 4-0 against quadrant 2 and 3 teams. As of Friday, Sept. 29, it has the 15th toughest schedule in the nation, with its past opposition having a combined 38-20-17 record.
Multiple Lopes have won WAC Player of the Week awards this season, including Leon Schmidt (3 times), Bright Nutornutsi, Clayton Duarte and most recently Uriel Diaz Loza Sept. 26.

The Lopes open WAC play without a loss in their past five games, going 4-0-1 in that span that included a four game winning streak at home and a tie at No. 2 SMU Wednesday.
GCU is outscoring its opposition 11-2 in that span, with the defense recording three shutouts.
The offense has totaled 39 points during its streak, including 14 assists and 20 shots on goal.

Sophomore forward Bright Nutornutsi enters Sunday with his own streak, tallying a point in each of his last five games.
Nutornutsi has 16 points and six goals on the season, ranking 10th and 26th in the nation, respectfully.
During the Lopes' five match unbeaten streak, he has four goals and four assists.

The Lopes return home for two straight, the first beginning Wednesday, Oct. 5 versus nationally ranked Seattle U.
GCU closes next weekend out with a Sunday night matchup against UTRGV at GCU Stadium.