Diouf goal, Ibarra clutch save lead win at San Diego State

Thursday, October 9

San Diego, Calif.

7 p.m.

Grand Canyon

San Diego State

Diouf goal, Ibarra clutch save lead win at San Diego State

10/9/2025 9:55:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

GCU freshman forward scores 11th goal of season, ties for 2nd most in nation

By: Nick Macdonald

SAN DIEGO – A Junior Diouf goal and a defensive shutout led by goalkeeper Daniel Ibarra was the key to Grand Canyon's success in a 1-0 victory Thursday night at San Diego State, a win that improved GCU's record to 8-2-1 and 2-0-0 in WAC play.

News and notes

GCU, which received votes in the United Soccer Coaches Poll, extended its unbeaten streak to five matches.The Lopes have their most wins (eight) through 11 games since 2021.
Diouf, a Lopes freshman forward, scored his 11th goal of the season, tying him for second among all NCAA Division I players. His 25 points put him fourth in the country after scoring five goals in his last three games.
Ibarra made two saves for his third shutout of the season. The graduate student stopped a 44th minute penalty shot to close out the first half.
It was the first match this season the Lopes did not reach a double-digit shot total. GCU led in shots on goal (3-2) for the eighth time this season.

It took one shot on net to give the Lopes the lead against San Diego State (5-7-0, 1-1 WAC). One minute and 26 seconds into the match, GCU graduate forward Ben Assane sent a cross from the right corner into the center of the box where freshman Max Kiefer headed back toward Diouf, who dribbled once to his right before finding the back of the net.

The goal proved to be enough, although it was only one of two GCU first-half shots. The Aztecs registered 10 first-half shots, one coming in the 44th minute via a penalty kick. Juan Zepeda lined up for the shot and aimed bottom left with Ibarra, GCU's graduate goalkeeper, stretching wide to get a hand on the ball and knock it out of bounds and keep a clean sheet.

Five yellow cards were called in the second half as 31 fouls were totaled for the match. The Aztecs' 10 first-half shots were reduced to two in the second, as the Lopes again kept its opponent to one goal or none for the 11th straight contest.

GCU stays on the road and heads to Riverside, California, for a 5 p.m. Sunday contest at UC Riverside.