Trailblazers Stopped at Grand Canyon

Box Score Dixie State men's soccer headed to Phoenix for a matchup with the Grand Canyon University Lopes and saw a 3-0 loss to the conference leaders.

HOW IT HAPPENED: Head coach Jonny Broadhead opted for nearly the same starting 11 that held Air Force Academy to two goals, just swapping goalkeeper Jacob Zimmerman for Jakob Moore. After the team held a strong Air Force attack to just two goals, Broadhead opted to reuse the same starting field players against an equally strong Grand Canyon side.

Out of the gates, it was clear the Grand Canyon attack was going to be aggressive, but the Dixie State back line was prepared to handle it. The Lopes got an early shot off, but after the Trailblazers settled into the match a little bit, they were able to compete well against Grand Canyon.

It took GCU 16 minutes to break through and find their first goal which was a rocket of a shot from the top of the 18 yard box by the Lopes Justin Rasmussen.

The next 10 minutes of the first half DSU looked strong. They were able to get two shots and force the Lopes to defend more than they had been.

In the 31' Jakob Moore came out of his box in attempts to clear a ball from the top of the 18, but instead clamored into the Lopes attacker and the center referee awarded the Lopes a penalty kick. Moore was able to save the penalty with a dive to the bottom left of the net and kept the game at 1-0.

The Lopes answered Moore's save with a second goal just a few minutes later, though.

Heading into halftime the Trailblazers were down 2-0.

Out of the halftime break, Grand Canyon came out swinging offensively and had three shots in the opening 10 minutes of the half. DSU still looked solid, but the Lopes were testing the strength of the Trailblazers back line.

In the 58' Rasmussen would net his second goal of the night for the Lopes and put away the third and final goal of the game.

For the final half hour of this match, the Trailblazers fought to equalize. They threw everything into their offense and looked for dangerous opportunities, but the Lopes defense proved too strong. The Lopes have allowed just four goals at home all season, and DSU wasn't able to break through that despite their best efforts.

Despite getting five shots in the second half, DSU was unable to sneak one in and would end their road trip with a 3-0 loss to Grand Canyon University.

STAT BREAKDOWN: Goalkeeper Jakob Moore started in goal for the Trailblazers versus Grand Canyon and played the full 90 minutes. He made three saves on five shots on goal. Moore also saved a penalty kick, his first PK save of the season.

The Trailblazers had nine shots in this game from seven different members of the team. Dom Kossehasse had two and Niko Shumov, Trevor Dillon, Daniel Brubaker, Idris Alabi, Larsen Rogers, AJ Ciampini and Duncan McKenna each found one of their own. Kossehasse, Brubaker, Alabi and McKenna's shots were on frame.

Guglielmo Bianchi was the only Trailblazer shown yellow in this match. He was carded in the 62' for unsporting conduct. This is his fourth yellow card of the season.

NOTES TO KNOW: Dixie State men's soccer is currently 2-12-1 on the 2021 season.

Dixie State has the second most saves of any team this season with 67, trailing only Chicago State who has 69. DSU goalkeeper Levi Lord, who did not see any minutes versus Grand Canyon, leads the WAC in saves per game with five. Jakob Moore, who started versus Grand Canyon is tied for 7th in the conference in saves per game.

UP NEXT: Dixie State men's soccer will return home for their final two home matches of the 2021 season. The first of the two games will be Friday, Oct. 29 at 7 PM versus UTRGV. The second, a matchup with Incarnate Word Sunday Oct. 31 at 1 PM. The Trailblazers will then round out the 2021 season with a trip to UNLV for a Nov. 6 match with the Rebels.

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Players Mentioned

#23 Idris Alabi: MF; 6' 1"; Redshirt Senior

#18 Guglielmo Bianchi: MF; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#22 Daniel Brubaker: F; 5' 8"; Junior

#32 AJ Ciampini: D; 5' 9"; Freshman

#15 Trevor Dillon: D; 6' 3"; Freshman

#1 Levi Lord: GK; 6' 2"; Redshirt Junior

#17 Duncan McKenna: F; 6' 0"; Freshman

#0 Jakob Moore: GK; 6' 2"; Junior

#24 Larsen Rogers: D; 5' 7"; Freshman

#6 Niko Shumov: MF; 5' 10"; Redshirt Junior

#12 Jacob Zimmerman: GK; 6' 5"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#23 Idris Alabi
: 6' 1"; Redshirt Senior
: MF

#18 Guglielmo Bianchi
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: MF

#22 Daniel Brubaker
: 5' 8"; Junior
: F

#32 AJ Ciampini
: 5' 9"; Freshman
: D

#15 Trevor Dillon
: 6' 3"; Freshman
: D

#1 Levi Lord
: 6' 2"; Redshirt Junior
: GK

#17 Duncan McKenna
: 6' 0"; Freshman
: F

#0 Jakob Moore
: 6' 2"; Junior
: GK

#24 Larsen Rogers
: 5' 7"; Freshman
: D

#6 Niko Shumov
: 5' 10"; Redshirt Junior
: MF

#12 Jacob Zimmerman
: 6' 5"; Freshman
: GK