The Grand Canyon University men's soccer team (5-11-3, 2-6-2) outdueled visiting Incarnate Word (7-10-1, 6-3-1) to a 3-2 victory tonight at GCU Soccer Field. Although both teams compete as members of the Western Athletic Conference, tonight's matchup was a non-conference game.

Niki Jackson, Alberto Sanchez Garcia, and Amare Thomas each netted a goal for the Antelopes, while Jackson finished the night with four points as he also collected two assists.

Jackson led the offensive effort with four shots, while Mark Serjeant and Thomas each added three. Sanchez Garcia, earlier tonight tabbed as an All-WAC Second Team selection, had two shots.

"This is Grand Canyon men's soccer," said head coach Petar Draksin. "We showed how we can play. Tonight we battled, and I'm very proud of the young men. They executed our game plan. I thought Amare played incredible tonight."

"Incarnate Word is an excellent team, and they had a great year," added Draksin. "They finished third in the WAC, and could have easily won the conference."

Incarnate Word led in the shots category, 18-13, many of which came in the second half as they made a push to equalize the score. GCU, however, held the 8-7 lead in shots on goal.

GCU carried a 2-1 advantage into the half on goals from Jackson and Sanchez Garcia. The Lopes outshot the Cardinals 8-6 over the first 45 minutes.

Jackson put the Lopes on the board with a penalty kick in the eighth minute after being fouled inside the box. Sanchez Garcia gave GCU a two-goal cushion 20 minutes later on a cross from Jackson.

Incarnate Word cut that lead in half just 11 seconds later when Ben Conway lobbed an Alex De La Garza cross over diving GCU keeper Luca Licciardi.

Thomas scored just over six minutes into the second half of play on a cross from Jackson inside the box to make it a 3-1 game in favor of GCU.

The Cardinals once again closed that gap to one goal when Joe Brown headed a ball off of a free kick from Victor Pinal to hand Incarnate Word their second goal of the game.

Kendyl Day entered the contest in goal in the 55^th minute and concluded his night with four saves to keep the Lopes on top.

"We are looking forward to Senior Day on Sunday and we will be ready to play."

GCU will honor their senior class prior to this year's season finale on Sunday, Nov. 16 at 5 p.m. The Lopes will take on Omaha at the GCU Soccer Field and links to follow via live stats and video are available at www.gculopes.com.

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