Lopes close out nonconference play at home vs. LMU

Monday, September 23

Phoenix, Ariz.

7 p.m.

Grand Canyon

LMU

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9/22/2024 3:25:00 PM | Men's Soccer

GCU faces 2023 Elite Eight opponent, enters with 8th-toughest schedule

By: Nick Macdonald

Monday, Sept. 23 \| 7 p.m. \| GCU Stadium \| Phoenix, Ariz.

	LOYOLA MARYMOUNT LIONS (2-3-2)	at	GRAND CANYON LOPES (3-3-2)

WATCH: ESPN+ \| STATS: Link

AT A GLANCE

The Lopes conclude nonconference action Monday against WCC opponent LMU. The Lions advanced to the Elite Eight a season ago and are GCU's third WCC opponent this season.
GCU is looking to avoid back-to-back losses for the first time this season. After beginning the season 3-1, the Lopes are 0-2-2 over their last four games and look to get back into the winning column for the first time since Sept. 6.
GCU has not allowed more than one goal in a single game since Sept. 2 at Elon. The Lopes are allowing 1.0 goals per match, ranking first in the WAC and 41st in the nation.
The Lopes enter Monday with the eighth-toughest schedule in the nation and second in the WAC to California Baptist. Of its past opposition, GCU ranks first for most opponent wins (28).
GCU is second in the WAC in assists (13) and points (35). The Lopes are averaging 1.35 assists per game, third in the conference as seven players have tallied an assist this season. Sophomore midfielder Jorge Lopez leads the team with a career-high four.
Senior goalkeeper Leon Schmidt ranks seventh in the country with 34 saves. Schmidt holds a .810 save percentage, second best in the WAC. Schmidt has stopped five or more shots in four games this season. He is one of two goalies in the conference to play every minute of every game in goal.
Despite not scoring in four games, junior foward Bright Nutornutsi ranks 15th in the country with five goals this season. Nutornutsi, a two-time WAC Offensive Player of the Week, is second in the WAC in goals and points (11).

HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE

The Lopes are 44-19-6 all-time at GCU Stadium and 8-2-2 in Phoenix since last season. GCU's goal differential since a season ago is 22-6, including a 6-2 margin so far this year. The Lopes have never lost more than four home games in a season since GCU Stadium opened in 2016.

NATION'S 8TH-TOUGHEST SCHEDULE

GCU's nonconference schedule is one of the toughest in the nation, ranking eighth heading into the LMU match. Of their past opposition, the Lopes' opponents have the most wins of any team in the nation, totaling 28 so far this year.

WHAT'S NEXT?

GCU heads into a bye week and takes 13 days off before starting conference play Oct. 6 at UT Rio Grande Valley.
The game in Edinburg, Texas, will be the first afternoon game of the season for the Lopes.