Upcoming Event: Men's Soccer at #9 Stanford on August 20, 2026 at 7:30 PM
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7:30 PM
at #9 Stanford
Grand Canyon University Athletics
Lopes tabbed 1st in MW, land 3 on watch list
8/12/2026 2:28:00 PM | Men's Soccer
GCU garners most 1st-place votes in 1st Mountain West season
A lot of firsts are set to begin Aug. 20 when Grand Canyon takes on Stanford in California for the season opener.
Lopes head coach Jamie Davies will manage his first match at the helm of the program while GCU and five other teams begin the first season of Mountain West men's soccer. The other first – GCU's MW first-place votes in the conference coaches' preseason poll.
The Lopes tied San José State with a poll-leading 22 points, but it was GCU that earned the most first-place votes (four of six) after winning the WAC and reacing the NCAA Sweet 16 last season.
This year's team brings in 19 newcomers, ranging from freshmen to fifth-year players. One of those newcomers is goalkeeper Beltran Fernandez, who was among three Lopes named to the MW Preseason Watch List. Fernandez enters his final year of eligibility after spending the past three seasons at Florida International. The Spaniard went 1-1-1 a season ago and will look to add experience to an all-new GCU goalkeeping crew.
A handful of players returned this season after the squad went to its first Division I Sweet 16 with NCAA Tournament wins at UCLA and at nationally ranked San Diego. Senior duo Jorge Lopez and Martin Luala, who steered the ship at midfield last season, return in an even more vital role.
Luala finished with a goal and two assists a year ago, but his contribution to aid the attacking pieces was a key factor in the team's 43 goals. His play garnered notice, making him the sixth Lope to be drafted in the MLS SuperDraft in December at No. 28 by San Diego FC.
Lopez enters his fourth season in a Lopes uniform, totaling seven goals and nine assists since 2022. The Bakersfield, California, native has appeared in 51 games with nearly 3,300 minutes logged. While Luala geared more toward defense, Lopez sided on the offensive end to form a dynamic duo.
GCU earned a preseason national ranking of No. 21 by United Soccer Coaches earlier this month. The Lopes travel to No. 9 Stanford on Aug. 20 before facing Sacramento State on Aug. 23 in Northern California. The Lopes' first home game will be Aug. 28 against UC Riverside at 7Â p.m. with the livestream on MW+.
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Lopes head coach Jamie Davies will manage his first match at the helm of the program while GCU and five other teams begin the first season of Mountain West men's soccer. The other first – GCU's MW first-place votes in the conference coaches' preseason poll.
The Lopes tied San José State with a poll-leading 22 points, but it was GCU that earned the most first-place votes (four of six) after winning the WAC and reacing the NCAA Sweet 16 last season.
This year's team brings in 19 newcomers, ranging from freshmen to fifth-year players. One of those newcomers is goalkeeper Beltran Fernandez, who was among three Lopes named to the MW Preseason Watch List. Fernandez enters his final year of eligibility after spending the past three seasons at Florida International. The Spaniard went 1-1-1 a season ago and will look to add experience to an all-new GCU goalkeeping crew.
A handful of players returned this season after the squad went to its first Division I Sweet 16 with NCAA Tournament wins at UCLA and at nationally ranked San Diego. Senior duo Jorge Lopez and Martin Luala, who steered the ship at midfield last season, return in an even more vital role.
Luala finished with a goal and two assists a year ago, but his contribution to aid the attacking pieces was a key factor in the team's 43 goals. His play garnered notice, making him the sixth Lope to be drafted in the MLS SuperDraft in December at No. 28 by San Diego FC.
Lopez enters his fourth season in a Lopes uniform, totaling seven goals and nine assists since 2022. The Bakersfield, California, native has appeared in 51 games with nearly 3,300 minutes logged. While Luala geared more toward defense, Lopez sided on the offensive end to form a dynamic duo.
GCU earned a preseason national ranking of No. 21 by United Soccer Coaches earlier this month. The Lopes travel to No. 9 Stanford on Aug. 20 before facing Sacramento State on Aug. 23 in Northern California. The Lopes' first home game will be Aug. 28 against UC Riverside at 7Â p.m. with the livestream on MW+.
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 MW Preseason Coaches Poll |
|||
| Rank | Team (first-place votes) | Points | |
| 1t. |
 |
Grand Canyon (4) | 22 |
| 1t. |
 |
San José State (2) | 22 |
| 3. |
 |
UC Davis | 15 |
| 4. |
 |
UNLV | 14 |
| 5. |
 |
Air Force | 10 |
| 6. |
 |
Utah Tech | 7 |
Players Mentioned
Sunday, August 09
Friday, August 07
Friday, August 07
Friday, August 07