GCU hosts Air Force in season's 1st WAC home game

Thursday, October 10

Phoenix, Ariz.

7 p.m.

Grand Canyon

Air Force

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10/9/2024 1:00:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Lopes face Falcons for First Responders and Military Night

By: Nick Macdonald

Thursday, Oct. 10 \| 7 p.m. \| GCU Stadium \| Phoenix, Ariz.

	AIR FORCE FALCONS (0-9-1, 0-2-0)	at	GRAND CANYON LOPES (4-4-2, 1-0-0)

WATCH: ESPN+ \| STATS: Link

AT A GLANCE

GCU returns home for a midweek contest versus Air Force on Thursday evening at 7.
The Lopes began conference action with a 2-0 shutout victory at UT Rio Grande Valley on Sunday. It was the first victory in program history in Edinburg, Texas.
The shutout was the third of the season for the Lopes, who have held opposing offenses to one goal or none in eight of 10 contests this season. GCU is holding its opponents to 0.9 goals per game, which leads the WAC and ranks 29th in the nation.
GCU forward Bright Nutornutsi scored his sixth goal of the season at UTRGV, putting him second in the conference and 29th in the nation for goals. His point total (13) also ranks third among WAC players.
Lopes senior goalkeeper Leon Schmidt ranks first in the conference in save percentage (.813) and third in saves (39). He has stopped five or more shots in four games this year with six games totaling three or more saves. Schmidt's three shutouts is tied for most in the league, while he is one of three goalies in the conference to have played 900 or more minutes. His shutout performance at UTRGV earned him WAC Goalkeeper of the Week on Oct. 8.
The Lopes have tallied 15 assists on the season, fourth best in the WAC as eight players have helped goal scorers find the back of the net. GCU senior Ben Assane recorded his fourth assist of the season at UTRGV, tying him for the team lead with sophomore Jorge Lopez.
While averaging less than a goal allowed per game this year, GCU's defense also has limited opposing shots. GCU opponents have totaled a .073 shot percentage, compared to the Lopes' .146 mark. The opposition totaled 76 shots through the first five games of the season, compared to 48 combined in the last five games.
GCU is looking to break a four-match losing streak against Air Force, last winning March 6, 2021, in Phoenix.

ASSANE SHOWCASES SKILLS AT UTRGV

GCU senior forward Ben Assane tallied one goal and an assist in the Lopes' 2-0 victory at UTRGV. Assane's assist was his fourth of the season, tying him for most on the team with sophomore Jorge Lopez.
The Lopes have totaled 41 points this season, compared to 26 for their opposition. GCU also has more goals (13-9) and more assists (15-8) than opponents.

HOLDING OPPONENTS IN CHECK

GCU boasts a top-ranked defense, ranking first in the WAC and 36th in the nation in goals against average (0.9). The Lopes have allowed one goal or none in eight of 10 games, with three shutouts.
GCU has not allowed more than two goals in a game since Sept. 2 at Elon and has only given up five goals in its last seven games.