Grand Canyon Men’s Soccer falls to Washington in second round of NCAA Tournament

Lopes record only one shot on goal in tournament loss

By Benjamin Garcia
Twitter: @AzNewsmedia

Grand Canyon University was a one-and-done participant in the NCAA Tournament last Sunday when the men’s team fell 0-2 to the No. 7 ranked Washington Huskies.

In just the team’s second appearance in the national tournament, the GCU men’s soccer program failed to spark any offense. The Washington Huskies came into the game without leading scorer and MAC Hermann Award Semifinalist Dylan Teves.

Although there was some optimism surrounding the men’s team chances of pulling off the upset, the Lopes failed to tally a single goal and only had one shot on goal.

The Lopes came close to gaining some momentum early with a chance to take the lead 1-0 with a shot from Marco Alfonso. Ultimately, the shot was off the mark sailing over the net.

Washington did not miss a beat without its leading goal scorer and was able to notch its second goal about halfway through the game, courtesy of midfielder Christian Soto.

The GCU Antelopes finished their season with 8-2 record but finished their season on a two-game losing skid, in the WAC Title game and in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament.

Although the Lopes accomplished a great deal this season just by making it into the tournament the Lopes would have to say one of its toughest goodbyes in the history of the school's soccer program.

United Soccer Coaches Hall of Famer and Grand Canyon Head Coach Schellas Hyndman is retiring after 37 seasons as a head college soccer coach.

Grand Canyon University will look to capitalize on the momentum they captured in a COVID-19 plagued season next year. As well as finding a new leader of the clubhouse next year of the men’s soccer program.