GAME DAY INFORMATION
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DATE: Sept, 8, 2023
TIME: 10:00 PM EST |
LOCATION: GCU Stadium
Phoenix, Arizona
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GAME DAY LINK
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LIVE STATS
LIVE VIDEO
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THE LEAD
The Stetson University Men's Soccer team will be westward bound as they embark on a three-game road trip starting with a stop in Phoenix to face off with the Antelopes of Grand Canyon University. The Hatters look to extend their two-game win streak, a streak that has seen them outscore St. Thomas (Minn.) and NC State, 9-0. Kickoff for the game against GCU is set for Friday Sept. 8 at 10:00 PM EST.
INSIDE THE SERIES
This will only be the second time in program history that the Hatters will play Grand Canyon in men's soccer. The two first meet back on Sept. 8, 2013 when the Hatters hosted the Antelopes for their third game of the season. The game went through two overtimes and ended in a 2-2 draw after defender Chase Rodgers scored in the 73rd minute to halt a surging GCU offense that racked up 30 shots
SCOUTING THE HATTERS (2-1-1, 0-0 ASUN)
The Stetson Hatters men's soccer team is riding a wave of success after an outstanding week of play. They secured two impressive victories, first dominating the St. Thomas Tommies with a resounding 7-0 win and then defeating the NC State Wolfpack with a solid 2-0 scoreline.
The Hatters have shown remarkable strength on both sides of the pitch this season. They've outscored their opponents 12-4, showcasing their offensive firepower. With 63 shots taken, compared to their opponents' 33, they are consistently applying pressure. In their recent clash with the Wolfpack, they unleashed a barrage of 19 shots, a testament to their attacking prowess.
Freshman defender Ross Appolon's deflection set up Andres Mata for a precise finish, giving the Hatters a 1-0 lead. However, a pivotal moment in their recent match against NC State occurred at the 57:18 minute mark when Charles Ahl delivered a corner kick that led to a thrilling goal.
Over the past two games, both Ahl and Xavi Csato have proven their mettle with a goal and a pair of assists each. The team's offensive diversity is evident with 32 corner kicks and 9 assists. Csato leads the team with six points, boasting two goals and two assists, while Andres Mata is hot on his heels with 5 points, including a recent goal.
The Hatters' depth is underscored by the fact that seven other players have found the back of the net this season, including Afonso Conde, who has also contributed two assists. Luis Lara leads the team in shots taken with 12, further demonstrating the team's offensive firepower.
In goal, Nicolo Radaelli has been a rock for the Hatters, starting all four games and making 14 saves while allowing just four goals. His performance has contributed to two shutouts this season, including a combined shutout with Michael Smith against St. Thomas.
As the Hatters venture away from the familiar confines of Florida, they carry with them not only a winning record but also a sense of confidence and unity that bodes well for their upcoming challenges. With their swarming offense, suffocating defense, and an array of talented players, the Stetson Hatters are undoubtedly a formidable force to reckon with this season.
SCOUTING THE ANTELOPES (1-3-0, 0-0 WAC)
The Grand Canyon Antelopes, currently standing at a 1-3 record, find themselves in the seventh spot in the Western Athletic Conference standings. Their season got off to a challenging start with a loss to the formidable #18 Wake Forest, falling 1-3. They then faced a tough match against (RV) Denver, resulting in a 0-3 defeat. However, they showed some resilience with a noteworthy 2-1 victory over (RV) Creighton on September 1, with midfielder Bright Nutornutsi breaking the tie in the 71st minute. Their road trip ended on a sour note with a 1-2 loss to Omaha.
Nutornutsi leads the Lopes with two goals, while Clayton Duarte and Lucas Fecci have also contributed with a goal each, with Duarte adding an assist to his name. Jorge Lopez and Cameron Cruz have been instrumental in creating goal-scoring opportunities, with both players recording assists, the former with two assists to his name. Despite their efforts, the Antelopes have been outscored 9-4 and outshot 74-39 in their four games, highlighting the challenges they've faced.
In goal, junior goalkeeper Leon Schmidt from Germany has been the last line of defense, starting every game and facing a whopping 74 shots. He's recorded an impressive 24 saves but has allowed nine goals this season.
Mike Kraus is in his second season as the head coach of the Grand Canyon men's soccer team. In his debut season, Kraus led the Lopes to a 7-8-3 record, which included a noteworthy 2-0-1 record against teams ranked or receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches poll. Their victory against then-No. 4 UCLA was a historic moment for the program, marking the highest-ranked win in its history.
In 2022, GCU finished with a 4-3-2 conference record, earning a WAC Tournament berth for the third consecutive season. Their performance was notable, ranking 40th in the country in shot accuracy (.456) and placing in the top three in the conference for points (83), goals (28), and goals per game (1.56). While they may be facing challenges early this season, the Grand Canyon Antelopes have a track record of resilience and have shown the ability to compete at a high level in the past.
NEXT UP
The Hatters will continue their desert stay as they head to Sin City to face off with the UNLV Rebels on Sunday, Sept. 10 at 10:30 PM EST.
