Lopes host San Diego State, honor seniors Sunday

Sunday, October 27

Phoenix, Ariz.

7 p.m.

Grand Canyon

San Diego State

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10/26/2024 11:18:00 AM | Men's Soccer

GCU’s 5 seniors to be honored prior to regular-season home finale

By: Nick Macdonald

Sunday, Oct. 27 \| 7 p.m. \| GCU Stadium \| Phoenix, Ariz.

	SAN DIEGO STATE AZTECS (8-4-3, 5-0-1 WAC)	at	GRAND CANYON LOPES (5-7-3, 2-3-1 WAC)

WATCH: ESPN+ \| STATS: Link

AT A GLANCE

The Lopes conclude their home regular-season slate with an evening matchup Sunday versus San Diego State.
Prior to the match, five seniors will be honored at center field to honor their accomplishments and achievements throughout their collegiate careers. Leon Schmidt, Sergio Martinez, Jony Muñoz, Ben Assane and Lalo Serrano will all be honored.
GCU enters Sunday in seventh place with seven points in the WAC regular-season standings. The top six teams at the end of the regular season advance to the WAC Tournament. San Diego State is first with 16 points. The Lopes trail sixth-place Utah Tech, UNLV and San Jose State by one point .
Senior goalkeeper Leon Schmidt is one of the nation's top goalies, ranking ninth in the nation in save percentage (.818), ninth in saves (63) and 29th in saves per game (4.2). He has eight games with four or more saves, including five games with six or more. He notched a career-high nine Sept. 9 vs. Omaha and is coming off a six-save showing Thursday vs. California Baptist.
Junior forward Bright Nutornutsi leads GCU with seven goals and 15 points. He opened up WAC play with back-to-back goals against UT Rio Grande Valley and Air Force and leads the squad with 14 shots and six shots on goal in WAC play.
The Lopes lead the WAC in goals against average, allowing less than one goal a game over 15 matches this season. GCU has allowed only two goals in a game four times this season. The 2024 squad looks to become only the second team in program history since 2013 to never allow more than two goals in a game (2021).
GCU is fourth in the WAC with 19 assists this season. Freshman Xande Santos tallied his first career point Thursday on Solo Bidanessy's goal. Nine Lopes have recorded an assist, led by Jorge Lopez and Ben Assane with five apiece.

HONORING 5 SENIORS

GCU will honor five seniors at center field prior to the match starting at 6:30 p.m.
Leon Schmidt, Sergio Martinez, Jony Muñoz, Lalo Serrano, and Ben Assane will be honored for their athletic and academic achievements at GCU and throughout their collegiate careers.

CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT NEAR

With three games remaining, GCU heads into Sunday in seventh place with seven points in the WAC regular-season standings. The Lopes are one point behind three teams - Utah Tech, San Jose State and UNLV - for a tie for fourth place. GCU tied with UNLV, lost to Utah Tech, and has yet to play San Jose State.
The top six teams advance to the WAC Tournament, which will be at GCU Stadium beginning Nov. 10.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Lopes close out the regular season with back-to-back road matches, beginning Thursday at San Jose State.
The regular season concludes Sunday, Nov. 1, at Seattle U.