Sept. 15, 2009
Box Score
PHOENIX, Arizona - Playing in 100-degree heat, Western Washington University fell 4-0 to nationally ranked Grand Canyon University in a non-conference men's soccer game Tuesday at the GCU Soccer Field.
The Vikings, who were held scoreless for the first time this season, dropped to 3-4-0. Grand Canyon, rated No.20 in this week's National Soccer Coaches Association of America/NCAA Division II Coaches Poll, improved to 3-1-1.
"I really don't think the heat had anything to do with it," said Western coach Travis Connell. "They started the game really well and mentally we just couldn't recover and change it. We kept on doing the same things, and that wasn't good enough. Mentally we were just a little bit soft today, and they're a good team and they made us pay for it."
Grand Canyon scored in the second minute when Kyle Cilento found the right corner with his sixth goal of the young season. The Antelopes got two more goals in the first half, Nick Sykes on a header off a corner kick in the 19th minute and Tom Hurdle from the right side in the 35th minute, Cilento being credited with an assist.
Two minutes into the second half, Grand Canyon's Joshua Ademosa got a loose ball and put it in the net.
Western and the Antelopes each had 11 shots and four corner kicks.
Connell praised the play of Viking defender Chris Jepson (Sr., Bellingham/Sehome).
"Chris played a really good second half," Connell said. "We changed the defensive scheme at halftime and he was a warrior and showed a lot of leadership with his great play in the back."
Grand Canyon goalkeeper Ben Paneccasio made one save and combined with Kyle Pearsall for the shutout.
Western returns home to entertain Simon Fraser University on Saturday (7 p.m.).
Western Washington vs. Grand CanyonDate: 09/15/09 Attendance: 23Goals by Period 1 2 TotalWestern Washington 0 0 --- 0Grand Canyon 3 1 --- 4SCORING SUMMARY:GCU - Ciliento (Martinez), 1:04GCU - Sykes (Mendez), 18:39GCU - Hurdle (Cilento), 34:05GCU - Ademosu (Perkins), 46:59Shots: Western Washington 11, Grand Canyon 11Corner kicks: Western Washington 4, Grand Canyon 4Fouls: Western Washington 5, Grand Canyon 8Saves: Western Washington 1 (Copps-Tilley 1, Warman 0), Grand Canyon 1 (Paneccasio 1, Pearsall 0)
