Completed Event: Men's Soccer at Cal State Fullerton on September 14, 2025 , Loss , 0, to, 1
M Soccer
at Cal State Fullerton
L 0-1
Grand Canyon University Athletics
Friday, August 30
Cary, N.C. | WakeMed Soccer Park
4 p.m. (Phoenix time)
Grand Canyon
3
vs
2
Duke
Photo by: Andy Mead
Nutornutsi scores twice as Lopes defeat Duke on road
8/30/2024 6:58:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Junior forward starts season with back-to-back braces for 2-0 GCU
CARY, N.C. – After eight days of waiting to play its next match since its season opener, Grand Canyon's offense showed no rust in its first road contest of the season as it defeated Duke 3-2 at WakeMed Soccer Park on Friday night.
GCU is 2-0 to start a season for the first time since 2021. The Lopes' victory gave Duke its first regular-season loss to a nonconference opponent since Sept. 7, 2021, against Seattle U.
In a road trip 2,174 miles from GCU's campus, the Lopes began play with light rain at a match moved 30 minutes southeast of Duke's campus. The Blue Devils (1-1-1), who received votes in the most recent United Soccer Coaches poll, tallied three shots through the game's first 20 minutes while GCU had yet to launch a shot.
Junior forward Bright Nutornutsi gave the Lopes their first shot of the night and their first goal in the process. In the 28th minute, he found the bottom right portion of the net to give the Lopes a 1-0 advantage.
Nutornutsi, who scored back-to-back goals for the Lopes in last week's season opener versus Western Illinois, mirrored that performance with a second goal 15 minutes later against Duke. The two-goal showing was the third of his career as the Accra, Ghana, native has nearly half as many goals in two matches this season as he did in 2023 (nine).
Duke broke into the scoring column 10 minutes into the second half via a penalty kick, as Colton Pleasants brought the Blue Devils within one. GCU's pressure in the box caused problems for the Duke backline, favoring the Lopes in the 64th minute as the ball found the back of the net via a Blue Devil defender for an own goal.
As the game progressed, so did the physicality. Nine yellow cards were called, including eight in the second half. Duke's Ruben Mesalles made it a one-score game in the 88th minute, but GCU held off the Blue Devils offense the rest of the way for the 3-2 win.
"I was very pleased with our organization and identity in the first half," GCU head coach George Kiefer. "In the second half, I was impressed with guys ability to work, fight, scratch snd claw. Even the guys on the bench were itching to win. I'm glad we were rewarded for our efforts."
GCU took advantage of its opportunities, totaling only five shots for its three goals while Duke recorded 18 shots. The Lopes did not take a corner kick while the Blue Devils had nine. GCU senior goalkeeper Leon Schmidt made five saves for his second win in goal this season.
The Lopes stay in North Carolina and face Elon on Monday evening. Live coverage will be held on FloFC with kick-off slated for 4 p.m. (Phoenix time).
GCU is 2-0 to start a season for the first time since 2021. The Lopes' victory gave Duke its first regular-season loss to a nonconference opponent since Sept. 7, 2021, against Seattle U.
In a road trip 2,174 miles from GCU's campus, the Lopes began play with light rain at a match moved 30 minutes southeast of Duke's campus. The Blue Devils (1-1-1), who received votes in the most recent United Soccer Coaches poll, tallied three shots through the game's first 20 minutes while GCU had yet to launch a shot.
Junior forward Bright Nutornutsi gave the Lopes their first shot of the night and their first goal in the process. In the 28th minute, he found the bottom right portion of the net to give the Lopes a 1-0 advantage.
Nutornutsi, who scored back-to-back goals for the Lopes in last week's season opener versus Western Illinois, mirrored that performance with a second goal 15 minutes later against Duke. The two-goal showing was the third of his career as the Accra, Ghana, native has nearly half as many goals in two matches this season as he did in 2023 (nine).
Duke broke into the scoring column 10 minutes into the second half via a penalty kick, as Colton Pleasants brought the Blue Devils within one. GCU's pressure in the box caused problems for the Duke backline, favoring the Lopes in the 64th minute as the ball found the back of the net via a Blue Devil defender for an own goal.
As the game progressed, so did the physicality. Nine yellow cards were called, including eight in the second half. Duke's Ruben Mesalles made it a one-score game in the 88th minute, but GCU held off the Blue Devils offense the rest of the way for the 3-2 win.
"I was very pleased with our organization and identity in the first half," GCU head coach George Kiefer. "In the second half, I was impressed with guys ability to work, fight, scratch snd claw. Even the guys on the bench were itching to win. I'm glad we were rewarded for our efforts."
GCU took advantage of its opportunities, totaling only five shots for its three goals while Duke recorded 18 shots. The Lopes did not take a corner kick while the Blue Devils had nine. GCU senior goalkeeper Leon Schmidt made five saves for his second win in goal this season.
The Lopes stay in North Carolina and face Elon on Monday evening. Live coverage will be held on FloFC with kick-off slated for 4 p.m. (Phoenix time).
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's Soccer
GK
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