The Gaels came up just short in their first road match of the season in a 1-0 loss to Grand Canyon University. On a 100-degree day in front of a packed house in Phoenix, the Lopes brought the heat early as they tried several long-ball attacks in an attempt to get over the top of the Gaels defense.

In the 16th minute the Lopes set up a free kick and it led to Marco Afonso putting a hesitation move to gain space on the Gaels Cade Cowen, and fed Esai Easly for a goal inside the six-box on a left-footed tap in. It was the first non-header goal allowed this season by the Gaels.

Freshman, and Arizona native, Riley Lynch used his speed around the corner of the Lopes defense to create some scoring opportunities, with the best one coming in the 31st minute. Lynch sent a perfect cross to fellow freshman Jack Vestberg that had him directly in front of the keeper, but the keeper reacted quickly to make a diving save to his left on Vestberg's sliding left-footed attempt.

Grand Canyon started the second just half hot as they did in the first, but sophomore keeper Kash Oladapo kept it a one-goal game when he made a fantastic save to his left in the 46th minute, followed by another leaping stop with his right hand off a set piece from the Lopes just a minute later to keep the ball out of the upper-right corner of the net.

The Gaels would have another great scoring opportunity in the 57th minute as Louis Sterobo set up Boyd Curry on a set piece to the left of the box but the Lopes Keeper got his finger tips on Curry's header to keep the Gaels from equalizing.

Saint Mary's would keep the pressure on in a furious effort to tie up the match, including multiple corner kicks and a shot from Cowen that forced a leaping save from the Lopes keeper, that persevered the 1-0 victory for GCU.

UP NEXT
The Gaels will return home to take on San Jose State on Monday, September 13 at 4:00 p.m. at Saint Mary's Stadium.
 
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