Dominating defensively.

The Grand Canyon University Club Men's Soccer team shut out two Southwest Collegiate Soccer League rivals, the University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University in their two most recent games. The Lopes blanked the Wildcats, 2-0, on the heels of a 3-0 win over the Lumberjacks (a match streamed on the Varsity Sports Show) at GCU's Colter Field.

GCU 3, NAU 0

Facing the last (and only) team to score a goal on the Lopes this season, GCU knew they had to be sharp on the defensive end against the 'Jacks, but that didn't stop the offense from starting out hot in the first half.

An excellent throw-in from defender Preston Kasovac turned into an Ansu Kanneh score for GCU seven minutes into the match, and then an intercepted pass from the NAU goalie was deposited into the back of the net by Lopes' senior captain Joseph Butzke at the 23-minute mark. Five minutes later, Kanneh connected with Reeise Remmer on a cross, who then scored via a header, providing the final score before halftime. 

"We're a defensive-minded team first when it comes down to it," said GCU Head Coach Luke Pilarski on the Varsity Sports Show live stream. "The possession has been good, but it can be better for sure. There are things that our guys need to clean up."

GCU 2, Arizona 0
 
The defense shined in another tightly contested game against an SCSL rival as the Lopes went a seventh consecutive half without giving up a score. Lopes' junior midfielder Keegan Acres got the scoring started, and sophomore forward Luca Guera added one of his own to finish off the scoring.
 
The next action for the Lopes will be the National Intramural and Recreational Sports Association Regional V Tournament in Omaha, Nebraska, on November 1.