Homestand closes Monday night versus Santa Clara

Monday, September 8

Phoenix, Ariz.

7 p.m.

Grand Canyon

Santa Clara

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Phoenix, AZ Sept. 4, 2025 : The Lopes drop their match 0-1 against SMU at GCU Stadium.

9/7/2025 11:44:00 AM | Men's Soccer

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Diouf set to return to lineup as Lopes look for 4th win

By: Nick Macdonald

AT A GLANCE

The Lopes close out their five-game homestand Monday evening against WCC opponent Santa Clara. It is a rematch of last year's 1-1 result in Santa Clara.
The match is the second of two in five days that will be broadcast on Arizona's Family Sports. Check local listings in the link on the schedule page on how to tune in.
GCU freshman forward Junior Diouf returns to action after sitting out one game due to a red card against Sacramento State on Aug. 28. Despite a missed game, Diouf still is tied for first in the WAC for goals (four) and points (nine). Diouf is also 11th in the nation in shots per game (4.3) and shots on goal per game (2.0).
GCU has tied its home win total from last season in its first three home matches this season. The Lopes are 48-24-6 at GCU Stadium since its opening in 2016 and have won 12 games at home since the 2023 campaign.
The Lopes have recorded four straight games with double-digit shot totals in the same season for the first time since November 2021. GCU took 10 shots against SMU on Thursday, all of which came in the second half.
GCU's defense is second in the conference in goals against average (1.0). While the Lopes have yet to have a shutout, it has never allowed more than one goal in a game so far this season.
Junior midfielder Jorge Lopez tallied his first assist of the season in GCU's 2-1 win over Sacramento State, putting his career total to nine. Lopez is now tied for fifth with Bright Nutornutsi for career assists in the program's Division I era.
The Lopes offense is averaging 5.5 corner kicks per game, ranking third best in the WAC. Thursday's contest against SMU was the first game this season that GCU earned fewer corner kicks than its opponent (GCU two, SMU three).

LAST TIME OUT

GCU fell for the first time in 2025 with a 1-0 home defeat to SMU.
The Lopes were without star forward Junior Diouf, who was out due to a red card ban obtained during the Aug. 28 win against Sacramento State.
After no first-half shots, GCU unleashed a second-half flurry of 10 shots that pressed the Mustangs, who were preseason No. 5 in the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll, but were unable to net the equalizer.

SCOUTING SANTA CLARA

The Broncos are 2-1-2 entering Phoenix on Monday evening after winning two straight by shutout. They outscored their opposition 5-0 in that span.
Santa Clara is 1-0-1 against common opponents, defeating Sacramento State 3-0 and tying Cleveland State 1-1. GCU bested each of those teams earlier in the season. The Broncos are coming off a 2-0 victory over WAC program San Diego State on Friday.
The Broncos have outscored their opponents 8-4, allowing 0.8 goals per game. Goalkeeper Jackson Ozburn has 16 saves in five starts this season.
The offense has had six goal scorers this season, led by Nik Berkovitz, who has three goals and an assist to lead the squad with seven points.

WHAT'S NEXT?

GCU takes nearly a week off and resumes play Sunday, Sept. 14, at CSU Fullerton for its first road contest of the season.
After starting the season with five straight home matches, the Lopes will remain on the road at UC Santa Barbara on Sept. 21. Their next home match is Sept. 26 vs. CSUN.