RIVERSIDE - Men's soccer took care of business in the opening round of the 2022 Western Athletic Conference tournament, knocking off Grand Canyon, 2-1, Wednesday night in California. With the match level late, Campbell Strong netted the game winner to send the Redhawks to the semifinals.
"It was a terrific win," said head coach Pete Fewing. "Grand Canyon is a very good team and they stumped us in the regular season, but tonight we played very well."
Seattle U would get the opener of the match courtesy of Habib Barry in the 32nd minute. After the ball was sent into the box and bounced around, Barry got on top of it and took one touch before rocketing it into the back of the net. It would be the lone goal of the first half.
Grand Canyon would equalize in the second half when they were awarded a penalty in the 63rd minute. Akili Kasim would guess correctly on his save attempt, but the ball just snuck past his glove and the match was tied at 1-1. The Redhawks would not sit on that scoreline for long.
A Seattle U attack broke out just two minutes later. Josh Thacker would send a towering cross into the box, perfectly picking out Strong who was streaking to the face of goal. The sophomore from New Zeland would head the ball into the top corner of the net, putting the Redhawks back out in front and eventually being credited with the game winner. It was the first career goal for Strong.
"It was a great goal with really good build up," added Fewing on the game winner. "Great ball from Thacker to Campbell who got his first collegiate goal, so it was terrific."
It is the second straight season that the Redhawks have eliminated the Lopes in the conference tournament, following their PK win last season in the title match. They will move on to face the San Jose State Spartans on Friday, Nov. 11, in the WAC semifinals. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 pm PT in Riverside.
"It was a terrific win," said head coach Pete Fewing. "Grand Canyon is a very good team and they stumped us in the regular season, but tonight we played very well."
Seattle U would get the opener of the match courtesy of Habib Barry in the 32nd minute. After the ball was sent into the box and bounced around, Barry got on top of it and took one touch before rocketing it into the back of the net. It would be the lone goal of the first half.
Grand Canyon would equalize in the second half when they were awarded a penalty in the 63rd minute. Akili Kasim would guess correctly on his save attempt, but the ball just snuck past his glove and the match was tied at 1-1. The Redhawks would not sit on that scoreline for long.
A Seattle U attack broke out just two minutes later. Josh Thacker would send a towering cross into the box, perfectly picking out Strong who was streaking to the face of goal. The sophomore from New Zeland would head the ball into the top corner of the net, putting the Redhawks back out in front and eventually being credited with the game winner. It was the first career goal for Strong.
"It was a great goal with really good build up," added Fewing on the game winner. "Great ball from Thacker to Campbell who got his first collegiate goal, so it was terrific."
It is the second straight season that the Redhawks have eliminated the Lopes in the conference tournament, following their PK win last season in the title match. They will move on to face the San Jose State Spartans on Friday, Nov. 11, in the WAC semifinals. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 pm PT in Riverside.