Junior forward Saeed Robinson (Portmore, Jamaica, Wolmers Boys School, Western Texas College) had a hat trick to lead the Grand Canyon University men's soccer team to a 3-0 win over Saint Martin's University in a non-conference game today at the SMU Soccer Field in Lacey, Wash.

The two-time defending Pacific West Conference champion Antelopes, ranked No. 1 in the West Region and No. 9 in the nation in the latest National Soccer Coaches Association of America NCAA Division II poll, improved to 3-1 this season. The Saints fell to 1-3.
 
"This was a big game for us after losing an emotional, hard-fought game that I consider to have been a Final Four-caliber game against Simon Fraser," GCU Head Coach Petar Draksin said, referring to last Saturday's neutral-site game in Lacey against the 2010 Great Northwest Athletic Conference champions.

Robinson's first goal came just 29 seconds into the game. He went one v. one with Saint Martin's sophomore goalkeeper JJ Olson and scored from 5 yards out into the right side of the net. Freshman midfielder Yared Solscheid (Eagle, ID, Eagle) got the assist on the play.

He scored again in the 53rd minute when he got a rebound off of the post 5 yards out and kicked the ball into the right corner of the net. Junior midfielder Alex Connally (Warrington, England, Culcheth, Erskine College) was credited with an assist.

Robinson's third goal came on a penalty kick in the 83rd minute. He now has tallied four goals in the 'Lopes' first four games this season. 

"Obviously anytime you score three goals in a game, you're having a special game," Draksin said.

Robinson was not the only standout in today's game. Goalkeeper Adam Garcia (Avondale, AZ, Westview, Phoenix College, Gardner-Webb University) recorded eight saves in earning his third win since transferring to GCU for his senior season.

"We were winning 2-0 and Adam made an incredible save," Draksin said. "This was the second time in four games he has made a special save to make a difference in the game."
 
Draksin also was pleased with the play of his starting right defender, junior Brian Green (Phoenix, AZ, Thunderbird), as well as the six players who came off the bench. In particular, he mentioned senior midfielders Tony Valera (Phoenix, AZ, Raymond S. Kellis, Phoenix College) and Miguel Benavides (Salem, OR, Sprague) and junior midfielder Chris Green (Phoenix, AZ, Thunderbird).

"I'm very pleased with our substitutions," he said. "Being on the road, we had to make some changes in the games, and I have been very pleased with the way the players have come in and have made an impact.”

Draksin has been singing the praises -- loudly -- of senior defender Nick Sykes (Boise, ID, Mountain View) all season.

The Saints had an 18-15 advantage in shots in the game (both teams had 10 shots in the second half), as well as a 12-10 edge in shots on goal.

Saints Martin’s had six corner kicks; GCU had two. Fifteen fouls were called, eight of them on the Saints.

One yellow card was issued, to Chris Green in the 84^th minute.

Now the ‘Lopes will return home tonight and get ready for their next game on Saturday.

“This game is behind us, and we're going to practice tomorrow night to prepare for our conference opener against Dixie State,” Draksin said.

Kickoff is at 8 p.m. at the GCU Soccer Field.

GCU 3, Saint Martin's 0

###