Physical play on the defensive side - combined with a rejuvenated 2^nd-half offense - helped the Grand Canyon University Men's Lacrosse team break open a close game at halftime, cruising to a 14-9 victory over Utah Tech University in the Lopes' 2024 season opener at GCU Soccer Stadium Sunday afternoon. It's the second time in the last three years that the Lopes have emerged victorious in their first game of the season. The loss was the second in the last 48 hours for the Trailblazers, who opened their regular season schedule Friday with a loss at Arizona State University.
 
It was a fast start and fast finish for GCU as they scored five goals in both the first and fourth quarters. The Lopes' first goal came just 23 seconds into the season – thanks to freshman Blake Olson's first college goal on an assist from Liam Reid. After UTU tied the game midway through the first quarter, GCU's offense exploded for four goals in the span of seven minutes – the last two coming from returning starting attacker Kyle Capshaw. The Trailblazers then stepped up their aggressiveness to turn the momentum, spending most of the 2^nd quarter on the Lopes' side of the field to come within a goal, 5-4, at the half. The Lopes regrouped at halftime, matched the physicality of UTU, scoring a trio of goals in the first 3:18 of the 3^rd quarter and never letting the Trailblazers get closer than three in the final period.



 















Reid led the charge with four goals and four assists, while Capshaw narrowly missed matching his fellow attacker with three goals and four assists. Freshman middie Cameron Seymour also registered a 'hat trick' with three goals in his first college game, and Lopes' senior Grant Warren added a pair of scores.
 
The Lopes continue their season-opening three-game homestand next Saturday, February 17, when they play their first-ever game at the newly renovated Colter Field on the east side of the GCU campus against Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. First faceoff is scheduled for 11AM, and admission is FREE.