GCU drops 1-0 defensive battle at No. 15 San Diego

Thursday, September 19

San Diego, Calif.

7 p.m.

Grand Canyon

3-3-2, 0-0-0

San Diego

6-0-2, 0-0-0

Grand Canyon

San Diego

9/19/2024 10:37:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

Toreros' 2nd-half goal proves costly in physical, 30-foul contest

By: Nick Macdonald

SAN DIEGO – In a game where both defenses were limiting opposing offenses from creating open looks, one goal swayed No. 15 San Diego to a 1-0 victory over Grand Canyon on Thursday night at Torero Stadium.

The Toreros (6-0-2) only put three shots on goal but stayed undefeated by scoring in the 54th minute

Highlights

San Diego totaled 18 fouls, the most for a GCU opponent this season.
The Lopes entered the match with a 9-3 goal differential in the first half. It was the only time besides a 1-0 loss to Creighton on Sept. 9 that the Lopes did not score a first-half goal.

"I give San Diego credit; they are tough at home," GCU head coach George Kiefer said. "I think our guys were very disciplined, tough and organized. I walked away disappointed that we didn't leave with points but felt it was a step in the right direction in terms of our in-game discipline."

Both teams settled in defensively early with the first shot attempt of the match happening in the 20th minute via Sami Tsipena of San Diego. GCU (3-3-2), known for scoring early in matches with nine first-half scores, struggled to find open looks due to San Diego's defensive counters.

With a 3-0 Torero shot advantage midway through the half, the Lopes tallied its first shot – and the game's first shot on goal – in the 35th minute via sophomore defender Diego Veliz. Veliz used his speed to track down a loose ball on the right sideline and headed toward goal before a sliding goalkeeper, Donovan Parisian, knocked away Veliz's shot with his leg for his first save.

Both teams combined for four shots in the first half, while 14 fouls were called with eight on the Toreros.

The offenses started to find rhythm early in the second half, with three shots combined through the half's first five minutes. GCU graduate forward Jony Muñoz had the Lopes' best chance at a goal with a right-foot strike from atop the box that veered high and left of the goal.

San Diego, which is 3-0-2 at home and has only lost one home game since 2022, found the back of the net for the game's only goal in the 54th minute. A low line drive shot from Samy Kanaan just passed a diving save try by GCU senior goalkeeper Leon Schmidt and went to the bottom right of the net.

Schmidt kept it at a one-goal game with his second save when a ball found a Torero attacker 5 yards from the goal line. Schmidt used his size to block it and send the ball out of the box before thwarting the remaining attack.

While San Diego finished the match with a 12-4 shot advantage, the GCU defense limited scoring opportunities by allowing just three shots on goal. It tied for lowest number of shots on goal by an opposing team this season.

The Lopes return home Monday for their final nonconference matchup of the season versus 2023 Elite Eight participant LMU. It will be GCU's third contest against a WCC opponent this season.