M Soccer
11-5-09
It was intense and physical, just as you would expect a championship game to be.
The Grand Canyon University men's soccer team was playing for its third Pacific West Conference title in the past four years against Notre Dame de Namur. The Antelopes were 13-3-2 overall and 10-1-1 in the PacWest, while the Argonauts were right behind them in second place at 9-2-1 in the conference. With a win, GCU would win the title outright.
Unfortunately for the 'Lopes, their championship celebration will have to be put on hold because they and the Argonauts played to a double-overtime 0-0 draw.
The celebration still can come on Saturday, when they host Academy of Art at 2:30 p.m. at the GCU Soccer Field. The 'Lopes can win the title outright with a win over the Urban Knights, regardless of whether NDNU defeats Dixie State on Saturday. Saturday's games are the final games of the season in the PacWest, so Saturday will be Senior Day as well as a championship game. GCU has only one senior on its roster, defender/midfielder Jesse Baker (Lakeside, AZ/Blue Ridge).
GCU defeated NDNU, 3-0, on Sept. 28 in Belmont, Calif.
Tonight's game was a defensive struggle. The 'Lopes had 11 shots, none of them on goal. The Argonauts had five shots, none of which were on goal either. NDNU had a 4-3 advantage in corner kicks. GCU had more fouls, 8-6, including five in the first half.
On the positive side for the 'Lopes, junior goalkeeper Ben Paneccasio (Sydney, Australia/Roseban K College) registered his 11th shutout of the season, two more than GCU's previous all-time season best. NDNU 'keeper Joseph Mora posted his second shutout of the season.
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