PHOENIX, Ariz. – The Northern Kentucky men's soccer team lost their first game of the 2019 year, 3-0, against Grand Canyon at GCU Stadium on Friday night.
 
"It was a terribly disappointing start to the game that ultimately set the tone for the rest of that match," said head coach Stu Riddle. "We won't make any excuses and accept that the better team won the game tonight fair and square."
 
BETWEEN THE POSTS

• Baj Maan faced 19 shots, made six saves and allowed all three of Grand Canyon's goals in his collegiate debut.

 
MATCH SUMMARY

• GCU quickly scored the first goal as Tosh Yasuda slipped a shot past Maan in the first minute. Bert Wilson set up the score as NKU's defense struggled to get settled in.
• The Lopes dominated possession in the early minutes, taking seven shots before Wilson received a cross from Pambos Aristotelous and scored GCU's second goal in the 25th minute.
• NKU had a chance to cut into the deficit when Connor Probert fielded a corner kick in the 41st minute. After his kick was deflected by a header, Probert regained possession and passed the ball to Alex Willis, which was promptly taken into the goal before it was called offside.
• After a foul committed by Harvey Moyes, GCU received a penalty kick. Justin Rasmussen took the kick, netting the Lopes' final goal of the night.

 
NORSE NOTES

• Rikard Lindqvist was the only Norse who had a shot on goal, placing an attempt at the bottom-right of goal posts in the 75th minute.
• Three Norse newcomers were a part of the starting lineup tonight: Maan, Ali Zohar and Gianni Bouzoukis

 
UP NEXT
The Norse open their home schedule at NKU Soccer Stadium on Monday when they face Marshall. The match will begin at 7:00 p.m. and will stream on ESPN+.