Grand Canyon thumps Coyotes 4-1 in opener of NCAA Men’s West Regional

Courtesy Chico State Sports Information  

CHICO, CA – Sophomore forward Kyle Ciliento booted home his nation-leading 26th and 27th goals of the season and added an assist to lead No. 7 Grand Canyon University to a 4-1 victory over Cal State San Bernardino Friday to kick off the NCAA Men’s Soccer West Regional at Chico State’s University Soccer Stadium. The victory was the first NCAA win for the ’Lopes since 1998; Grand Canyon now moves on to the Regional finals Sunday against Chico State at Noon PST (Live Stats).

“We knew we had our hands full; San Bernardino is one of the best scoring teams in the CCAA,” Grand Canyon Head Coach Petar Draskin said following Friday’s victory. “I told my team that this is a new season; what happened before tonight is in the past. But we did our homework, we stayed organized and we got it done tonight against a very good Coyotes team.”

Friday’s win improved Grand Canyon’s season record to 15-2-2; the ’Lopes are 8-0-1 in their last nine matches and have outscored the opposition 18-2 in the team’s last three outings. Cal State San Bernardino, the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) South Division champion, sees its season come to an end with an overall record of 13-6-1.

“They were the better team today,” said Cal State San Bernardino Head Coach Noah Kooiman afterward. “We felt we were ready; we played a good game against Somona (in the CCAA Championship Tournament) and we came into the Regional with a little bit of a swagger, but Grand Canyon was the better team tonight. This is a tough loss, especially for our seniors.”

Grand Canyon was the aggressor in the early stages of the first half, with the first 20 minutes of action mostly taking place on Cal State San Bernardino’s side of the pitch. Ironically, it was the Coyotes who got off the first shot on goal in the sixth minute, but Marco Martinez’ straight-on shot from 20 yards out caromed off the left post. The ’Lopes got on the scoreboard in the 11th minute – Ciliento fired a cross to Cordero Young who headed the ball to Joao Vieira, who curled a line-drive shot just inside the left post to give Grand Canyon a 1-0 lead.

The Lopes missed an opportunity to extend its advantage when Ciliento misfired on a penalty kick for the first time this year. In the 32nd minute, though, Grand Canyon struck again – a red card called on Martinez at the mouth of the San Bernardino goal denied a ’Lopes scoring opportunity; the resulting free kick was rifled home by Ciliento, who sent a shot past the dive of Coyote goalkeeper Tanner Olinger and inside the left post to give Grand Canyon a 2-0 lead.

The ’Lopes picked up where they left off less than three minutes into the second half – Young pounced on a blocked shot by Pat Perkins and pounded a kick from 15 yards out inside the near post to make it a 3-0 contest. In the 52nd minute, Ciliento gave Grand Canyon a 4-0 lead, taking an outlet pass from Tom Hurdle down the left flank, faked right to get one-on-one with the San Bernardino goalkeeper, and slid a 10-yard shot inside the near post.

The Coyotes got on the board in the 56th minute when Jose Godinez headed home a Harry Cruz cross pass from the far post. But despite several shots on goal in the closing minutes, it would turn out to be the only time San Bernardino found the back of the Grand Canyon net, and the ’Lopes ran out the clock for the 4-1 victory.

Draskin has already reminded his team that there is still plenty of hard work ahead. “We’re not done,” he said. “We can enjoy what happened here tonight, but we have to be ready for Sunday. If we can win the Regional final, then that will be the time to celebrate.”

Grand Canyon will meet either Chico State or Sonoma Sunday at noon at University Soccer Stadium. The ’Lopes are 8-3-0 all-time versus the Wildcats and 8-7-2 against the Seawolves.