Lopes Secure Hard-Fought Victory to Reach WAC Semifinals
Grand Canyon University (GCU) achieved a hard-fought victory in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Tournament by defeating Utah Valley 1-0. This win extends their unbeaten streak to six matches and secures their place in the semifinals.
Lopes Advance to WAC Semifinals
The third-seeded Lopes improved their record to 11-3-4 and will face the second-seeded Utah Tech in the semifinal on Wednesday at 5 p.m. Phoenix time. This marks GCU’s second victory over Utah Valley this season.
Match Highlights
- Final score: GCU 1, Utah Valley 0
- Key Player: Alan Hermitte scored the lone goal in the 48th minute.
- Shots: GCU 15, Utah Valley 12
- Corner Kicks: Utah Valley 7, GCU 6
- Postseason Context: This is GCU’s first postseason win since the 2021 WAC Tournament championship.
The match began with neither team able to take control. Both teams recorded seven shots in the first half. GCU’s Ben Assane came close with a header that narrowly missed in the ninth minute, while Utah Valley managed to put two attempts on goal.
GCU goalkeeper Ibarra showcased his skills with two critical saves during this initial half. Although Utah Valley held more possession, GCU created several counterattacks led by freshman forward Junior Diouf.
Second Half Breakthrough
The Lopes struck early in the second half. Freshman midfielder Diego Sanchez delivered a corner kick that found Charles Volcy, who assisted Hermitte. The sophomore forward scored his third goal of the season, giving the Lopes a 1-0 lead.
Head coach George Kiefer praised Hermitte for his hard work and dedication throughout the season. Kiefer also commended the Lopes’ defensive efforts against a strong Utah Valley team.
Challenging Final Minutes
The match escalated in intensity, with each team vying for control. Yellow cards were issued to Lewis Knecht of Utah Valley and Assane of GCU in the second half.
Although GCU faced several late attempts by Utah Valley, including a near miss from Diouf, they held their ground defensively. GCU effectively managed to fend off critical corner kicks, sealing their victory.
Looking Ahead
After a short two-day break, the Lopes will continue their tournament journey against Utah Tech, a team with which they previously played to a 2-2 draw in Phoenix on October 23. Additionally, fourth-seeded San José State will compete against the top-seeded California Baptist in the other semifinal match.
The WAC Championship match is scheduled for Saturday at 2 p.m. Phoenix time. As GCU prepares for their next challenge, the team remains focused on extending their postseason run.
