Final regular-season homestand begins Thursday vs. CBU

Thursday, October 24

Phoenix, Ariz.

7 p.m.

Grand Canyon

California Baptist

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Final regular-season homestand begins Thursday vs. CBU

10/23/2024 10:31:00 AM | Men's Soccer

Pivotal match features Lopes vs. Lancers in WAC tie for 5th

By: Nick Macdonald

Thursday, Oct. 24 \| 7 p.m. \| GCU Stadium \| Phoenix, Ariz.

	CALIFORNIA BAPTIST LANCERS (3-5-5, 2-2-1 WAC)	at	GRAND CANYON LOPES (5-6-3, 2-2-1 WAC)

WATCH: ESPN+ \| STATS: Link

AT A GLANCE

GCU returns to Phoenix for its final two regular-season matches of the season, beginning Thursday with California Baptist at 7 p.m.
The Lopes and Lancers are tied for fifth with UNLV at seven conference points. The 10-team conference's top six teams advance to the WAC Tournament, which will start Nov. 10 at GCU Stadium.
GCU's defense has shined all season long, ranking 26th in the country and first in the WAC in goals against average (0.86). The Lopes have allowed only one goal in its past three games, with two shutouts over its last five.
Lopes senior goalkeeper Leon Schmidt is one of the nation's top goalies, ranking 10th in the nation in save percentage (.826), 16th in saves (57), and 36th in saves per game (4.1). He has seven games with four or more saves, including four games with six or more. He notched a career-high nine on Sept. 9 vs. Omaha.
Senior forward Bright Nutornutsi leads GCU with seven goals and 15 points. He opened WAC play with back-to-back goals against UT Rio Grande Valley and Air Force and leads the squad with 14 shots, including six on goal, in five WAC games this season.
Lopes sophomore midfielder Jorge Lopez and senior forward Ben Assane are tied for second in the conference with five assists each. Assane is second in the conference with .42 assists per game.
GCU and UNLV are the only WAC teams with five shutouts this season. The Lopes have allowed only three goals in WAC play and have given up only two goals in one contest over its last 11 matches.
Of GCU's backline of defense, three are freshman in Viggo Gustavsson, Liam Harrington, and Serigne Babacar Diallo. Harrington is one of two players to play every minute of every game, joining Schmidt.

SHUTDOWN DEFENSE

The Lopes are one of two teams in the WAC with five shutouts this season, recently drawing 0-0 with UNLV for its second shutout in WAC play.
GCU has allowed only one goal over its last three games and ranks first in the conference and 26th in the nation in goals against average (0.86). In 14 games, it has allowed only three goals three times and only once over its last 11 games.

CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT NEAR

With four games remaining, GCU is tied for fifth in the 10-team WAC's standings. The Lopes have seven points, tied with both California Baptist and UNLV.
The top six teams advance to the WAC Tournament at GCU Stadium beginning Nov. 10.

WHAT'S NEXT?

GCU stays home and hosts San Diego State on Sunday for its final regular-season home match.
Five seniors will be honored prior to the match for Senior Night.