Big home-opener crowd treated to shutout win

Friday, September 8

Phoenix, Ariz.

7 p.m.

Grand Canyon

2-3-0, 0-0-0

Stetson

2-2-1, 0-0-0

Stetson

Grand Canyon

Photo by: David Kadlubowski

9/8/2023 10:31:00 PM | Men's Soccer, Paul Coro

Box Score Photo Gallery

GCU uses early attacks to down Stetson 3-0 in front of 2,022 fans on Friday night

By: Paul Coro

Five weeks after training began, the Grand Canyon men's soccer team played in front of home fans for the first time this season on Friday night, and the Lopes exploded like they had the pent-up energy of fireworks.

GCU scored three first-half goals for the first time since three seasons ago and held the margin for a 3-0 victory against Stetson at GCU Stadium, where the home opener drew 2,022 fans.

Lopes junior defender Clayton Duarte and sophomore forward Bright Nutornutsi scored goals within 90 seconds of each other, and junior midfielder Innocent Jibril Rodet's shot on goal in the 32nd minute led to an own goal and the 3-0 lead.

"With the great environment with the Havocs, the students and the fans, we wanted to make sure we kept everybody engaged right from the jump," GCU head coach Mike Kraus said. "I think we were attacking minded, aggressive and capitalized on a couple easy opportunities. It's a credit to our guys for listening to the game plan and converting the chances we got early."

GCU (2-3) played its first four games away from home for the first time in seven years and made it even tougher with visits to three teams that played in last season's NCAA tournament, including a 2-1 GCU win at Final Four qualifier Creighton a week ago.

But with GCU students filling the sideline's Platform and flowing into the berm beyond the north goal line, the Lopes matched the energy in the stands with early attacks that resulted in consecutive shots before a Stetson foul set up the first goal.

Clayton Duarte

With the look of a set piece, Duarte told Rodet to look for him on the left-side free kick, and that turned out to be simple to do. Running to his strong left leg, Duarte used freshman forward Solo Bidanessy to shield him and put a clean 15-foot shot to the right of Stetson's diving goalkeeper for a 1-0 edge in the 12th minute.

"I told Jibril to play me the ball and he played it perfect, but we didn't practice that before the game," Duarte said of his second goal this season. "It was spontaneous and really good. It was a big space open, and Jibril knows me and trusts me."

Duarte, the Portugal native, and his teammates sprinted to the sideline to celebrate the season's first home goal with the Havocs.

"I love playing at home," Duarte said. "The fans come watch the show, and I think we gave them all the show they need, so it's perfect."

The Lopes' back line also contributed to the team's second goal moments later.

GCU sophomore defender Uriel Diaz Loza launched a tremendous pass that landed on the top line of the penalty box in front of Bidanessy, who was streaking ahead of the Stetson defender marking him. Bidanessy controlled his dribble and passed back to Nutornutsi, who had sprinted past his defender.

Phoenix, AZ Sept. 8, 2023: GCU shuts out Stetson 3-0 in their home opener at GCU Stadium.

Phoenix, AZ Sept. 8, 2023: GCU shuts out Stetson 3-0 in their home opener at GCU Stadium.

The speedy, crafty Ghana native put a left-footed touch on it and scored inside the far post from 8 feet away for a 2-0 lead in the 14th minute.

"As a striker, I need to put more balls in the net," Nutornutsi said. "I was hoping for two or three, but it's not bad. As long as we win as a team, I'm happy.

"We had a great win against Creighton, and that boosted our confidence. It's a must that we have to win games at home to set a good example for ourselves."

The Lopes only outshot the Hatters 5-4 in the first half but made the most of their opportunities, even when they were stopped.

In the 32nd minute, Rodet was trailing a play and had sophomore midfielder Cameron Cruz set him up for an open shot high in the box. Stetson goalkeeper Nicolo Radaelli deflected the ball to the side, where it was rolling toward Cruz when Stetson defender Kelvin Zinck tried to stop it and instead sent a spinning carom into the net for a 3-0 GCU lead.

The Lopes' last three-goal first half came against California Baptist on March 19, 2021, when the fall 2020 season was delayed by COVID.

Phoenix, AZ Sept. 8, 2023: GCU shuts out Stetson 3-0 in their home opener at GCU Stadium. Photo David Kadlubowski/GCU

Phoenix, AZ Sept. 8, 2023: GCU shuts out Stetson 3-0 in their home opener at GCU Stadium. Photo David Kadlubowski/GCU

GCU maintained a clean sheet despite allowing 12 second-half shots, five of which were on goal when Kraus felt his young team did not manage its aggression well. Lopes sophomore goalkeeper Leon Schmidt made a diving stop at the post in the 83rd minute and leaped upward to save a potential header goal in the 89th minute, preserving his sixth career shutout.

Stetson (2-2-1) was coming off a 2-0 win against North Carolina State and a 7-0 victory against St. Thomas, putting the Hatters sixth nationally for goals per game (3.0) until Friday night. Stetson had not been shut out in 11 consecutive matches and had not suffered a shutout loss since 2021.

"Our defense collectively and individually has not been good enough early on, so we definitely need to pick that up and a clean sheet is a great start," Kraus said.

GCU stays home for a 7 p.m. Tuesday match against UC Santa Barbara, which is 2-2 before it first plays another WAC opponent, Utah Valley, at home on Saturday night.