GCU returns to host Omaha on Los Lopes Night

Friday, September 6

Phoenix, Ariz.

7 p.m.

Grand Canyon

Omaha

Photo by: Jack Gilday/GCU

9/5/2024 12:40:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Opponents received United Soccer Coaches Poll votes ahead of 7 p.m. Friday match

By: Nick Macdonald

Friday, Sept. 6 \| 7 p.m. \| GCU Stadium \| Phoenix, Ariz.

	OMAHA MAVERICKS (4-0)	at	GRAND CANYON LOPES (2-1)

WATCH: ESPN+ \| STATS: Link

GCU returns home after a two-match road trip in North Carolina and hosts two Nebraska-based schools — Omaha on Friday night and Creighton on Monday night.
The Lopes have scored seven goals in three games, averaging just over two a game. Of its seven scores, five came in the first half, including four from junior forward Bright Nutornutsi.
Nutornutsi has emerged as one of the nation's top goal scorers through three games of the 2024 season, scoring four goals with consecutive braces vs. Western Illinois and Duke. He ranks nationally in goals and leads the WAC in goals (four) and points (eight). His efforts through the first two weeks earned WAC Offensive Player of the Week honors twice.
Midfielder Jorge Lopez scored his first goal of the season in the first half against Elon. Adding to his three assists, the sophomore is second on the squad with 5 total points.
Lopez and senior forward Ben Assane rank in the top 35 nationally for assists. The duo has combined for five this season, with Lopez notching three and Assane recording two, including one in each of his last two games.
GCU ranks top three in multiple statistics throughout the WAC, including trying for second in goals (seven) and goal differential (plus-3) and being second in points (21) and third in shots per game (9.7).

Through three games, sophomore midfielder Jorge Lopez is ranked seventh in the nation with three assists to tie his total assist production from last season. He has assisted on 43% of GCU's seven goals..
The dynamic duo of Lopez and Nutornutsi has blossomed into an opposing threat for defenses. The pair has connected twice for goals, both of which were first-half goals to jump-start the Lopes offense. Lopez found Nutornutsi for the first goal of the season at home versus Western Illinois and again connected with the forward early in the first half of GCU's 3-2 win over Duke.

GCU tallied votes in the most recent United Soccer Coaches Poll that was released Tuesday. The Lopes garnered nine votes with opponent Omaha earning four votes.
GCU is one of two WAC schools to be ranked or receiving votes (Seattle U), and with two wins in its next two contests, could be nationally ranked for the first time since the 2021 season.

The Lopes stay at GCU Stadium and host Big East program Creighton at 7 p.m. Monday.
The contest is a rematch from last year's meeting, which GCU won 3-2 in Omaha.