Lopes head west to Santa Clara for Thursday evening contest

Thursday, September 12

Santa Clara, Calif.

7:30 p.m. (Phoenix time)

Grand Canyon

Santa Clara

Lopes head west to Santa Clara for Thursday evening contest

9/11/2024 11:25:00 AM | Men's Soccer

Broncos present 1st of 3 WCC opponents that Lopes face this season

By: Nick Macdonald

Thursday, Sept. 12 \| 7:30 p.m. \| Stevens Stadium - Buck Shaw Field \| Santa Clara, Calif.

	SANTA CLARA BRONCOS (2-2)	vs.	GRAND CANYON LOPES (3-2)

WATCH: ESPN+ \| STATS: Link

AT A GLANCE

The Lopes head back on the road for a midweek contest against WCC opponent Santa Clara at Stevens Stadium. It will be the third-ever meeting between the two sides, playing previously in 2019 and 2022.
GCU is coming off a rare occurrence, a shutout loss at home. On Monday night, Creighton became the first visitor to shut out the Lopes since November 2022. Over the past four games, GCU's cumulative opponent record is 15-3-4. As of Sept. 10, the Lopes hold the seventh-toughest strength of schedule in the country.
GCU senior goalkeeper Leon Schmidt has 15 saves combined in his last two outings, including a career-high nine versus Omaha. The nine-save showing tied for second best in a single game in GCU's Division I era (est. 2013). Schmidt has three games with five or more saves this season and has allowed one goal over 16 shots on goal (37 shots total) in his last two games.
One of the top goal scorers in the country, Lopes junior forward Bright Nutornutsi ranks fifth in the nation with five goals this season, averaging one per game. He opened the season with back-to-back braces against Western Illinois and Duke, while adding a goal and an assist versus Omaha. He is the team leader in shots (10) and shots on goal (six) and is first in the WAC in shot accuracy (.600).
The Lopes have 11 assists on the season, led by sophomore midfielder Jorge Lopez with four. Of GCU's first goal in each game with a goal, Lopez has either assisted or scored on three of them. Senior forward Ben Assane is second on the squad with three assists, including a stretch of three straight games with an assist from Sept. 2 to Sept. 9.
GCU notched six voting points in the most recent United Soccer Coaches poll Sept. 10 for the second most of unranked teams only behind UCLA (nine). It is the second consecutive week the Lopes have received votes in that poll. GCU also leaped frog to No. 16 in the TopDrawerSoccer poll Monday for the highest spot in that ranking this season.
GCU's back line has helped the offense earn a goal differential of 9-5 this season. Three freshmen have started on defense this season, including Liam Harrington and Viggo Gustavsson, who have each started every game this year. First-year Lope Austin Pearcy, a junior college transfer, has started each of the last two games.

FRESHMAN CORE LEADS DEFENSIVE LINE

The Lopes enter Santa Clara with a +4 goal differential on the year and have allowed only one goal over the last two games, due in large part to the play of the back line. GCU's back line consists of all freshman, including outside backs Austin Pearcy and Damon Rouse and center backs Viggo Gustavsson and Liam Harrington. Harrington has started and played in every minute so far this season, the only field player to do so and one of two players total next to goalie Leon Schmidt.
The defensive and goalie play from GCU held Creighton to one goal, who entered the night with 11 in five games. It also shutout Omaha, who entered Phoenix with seven goals in four games.The back line is also aided by graduate Lalo Serrano, who has played the third most minutes among field players this year.

NATION'S 6TH-TOUGHEST SCHEDULE

Entering the road contest at Santa Clara, GCU's strength of schedule ranks the sixth most difficult in the country. The past four teams that the Lopes faced own a 15-3-5 cumulative record, while future and past cumulative wins is at 38, tied for 30th highest in the nation.
The No. 6 spot is highest among WAC schools.

LOPES IN THE POLLS

GCU garnered eight voting points in the most recent United Soccer Coaches poll on Sept. 10 for the second most among teams receiving votes, trailing only UCLA. It is the second consecutive week that the Lopes received votes in the poll. GCU defeated two other teams receiving votes (Duke and Omaha).
The Lopes entered the TopDrawerSoccer poll for the first time this season, debuting at No. 16 on Monday. The highest TopDrawerSoccer ranking in program history dates back to Nov. 5, 2021, where it reached No. 12.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Lopes return home Sunday for their third game in seven days and take on Big West opponent Cal State Fullerton at 7 p.m.
GCU is hosting International Night, with food sampling happening on the Havocs' Platform prior to the match.