Box Score

Photo Gallery (images by Kier LaCrosse)

Phoenix, AZ -- In the first of two matches against Grand Canyon, the #4 ranked team in the latest NSCAA West Region Poll, Academy of Art men's soccer sustained a tough 6-1 loss to the Antelopes on Thursday night. Two GCU goals in the first eight minutes was rebutted by a sophomore midfielder Patrick Heinemann's third goal of the season, but three conversions in the second half gave the 'Lopes the edge at their Grand Canyon University Soccer Complex.

In the latest match Academy of Art has ever played in its four-year history, one could expect some unusual events were in store. The game began with goals on the first three shots attempted including a pair by GCU's Cordero Young (in the second and seventh minutes) as well as one from Heinemann in the 12th minute. In addition, all three goals were assisted with Alex Connally and the Pacific West Conference's leading scorer Saeed Robinson providing the Grand Canyon setups. It was junior midfielder Brazer Bozlak finding Heinemann who scored from 20 yards after two touches.

With GCU now up 2-1 in a close contest, a nine-minute scoreless stretch passed before the 'Lopes would add one more. Young was at the forefront again on this occasion, scoring his third goal by way of a rebound to complete a hat trick. Grand Canyon's Yared Solscheid had the initial shot and thus was attributed the assist on the play. Later in the opening half, freshman forward Frederik Nagel repeatedly attacked the GCU goal with two shots in succession, but after the first was blocked, the second sailed high. At halftime, the 3-1 score which remained was by no means an insurmountable margin.

The second period did not see another goal scored until the 56th minute when the Antelopes' Robinson accepted a ball from Mitchell Garcia and scored on a sharp angle past the defense. Grand Canyon would score twice more, Stipe-Darko Medic from Kevin Freitas (61st minute) and Robinson again from Baumotaga Balo (79th minute), to seal the 6-1 final. ART U did have two more shots before the final horn, but both went high.

Heinemann gave the Knights their lone goal of the evening and Bozlak provided the assist. Off the bench, Nagel added three shot attempts. Junior goalkeeper Ian Sutherland logged another complete 90 minutes between the pipes with six goals allowed and four saves. Academy of Art is now 4-8 overall and 3-5 in PacWest play.

Young finished with three goals to lead the way for the Antelopes while Robinson added two and an assist. Medic had a single goal and assists came from Connally, Solscheid, Garcia, Freitas, and Balo. Defensively, goalkeeper Adam Garcia picked up the victory after 76:34 minutes in goal with zero saves and one goal allowed. Grand Canyon moves into third place in the PacWest standings with a 6-1-1 conference record and the 'Lopes are now 10-3-1 overall.

It will be round two between Academy of Art and GCU on Saturday back at the Grand Canyon University Soccer Complex. The squads play a day game this time around which is scheduled to kick off at 2:30 PM.