"We're so grateful we got to play somewhere so special where roller is looked at with such admiration."

GCU Roller senior team captain Aydin Schwetz was effusive in expressing what it was like to play roller hockey in Brazil as a part of the National Collegiate Roller Hockey Association All-American squad, an experience that three of his GCU teammates, McKenna Cooper, Dylan Guy, and Ryan Meltzer, also got to share.

The four Lopes, joined by six other inline hockey players from across the United States, got to travel to Amparo, Sau Paulo in mid-November to play in nine total games, finishing with the silver medal after their impressive 6-2-1 record.

"The comradery was one of the best parts of the trip," said Schwetz. "Even though everyone was from different conferences and parts of the country where the styles are unique, the team quickly bought in to playing together."

The tournament schedule for the NCRHA All-Americans included nationally televised games against various teams from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Ecuador, culminating in a 1-0 overtime loss to the Brazil Senior National Team in the gold medal game.

For Schwetz, the tournament was another highlight showing in what has been an impressive career since starting the GCU Roller club team, and yet another trip overseas to play the sport he loves. Schwetz finished second in the tournament MVP race behind Chile's Junior Cadiz.

"I give a lot of credit to the crowd at the tournament," said Schwetz. "Every time I get to play overseas, it's a unique and awesome experience, and the fans in Brazil lived up to the hype. It's easy to get up for the games when you know the crowd will be into it."

Next up for the GCU Roller is the home opener at 4:30PM on January 26 as the Lopes take on ASU at the Peoria Sportsplex.

"We absolutely have a better roster this year. Having three goalies is a game changer," said Schwetz. "Having nine home games this year is also huge since we didn't have any last season. We also have a guaranteed bid to nationals in Auburn, Maine in the beginning of April, so it's safe to say we're excited at the prospect of the season."