2023 WAC MSOC Release Week 5

SEATTLE U STAYS AT THE TOP OF THE WAC
Seattle U saw a five-match win streak end on the road at Loyola Marymount but immediately bounced back with a spirited 2-2 draw against No. 14 Denver on Sept. 18. The Redhawks enter a crosstown rivalry match with No. 20 Washington on Sept. 21 sporting a 4-2-2 record through eight matches.

GCU ON A ROLL WITH THREE STRAIGHT WINS
After a slow start during a challenging four-match road trip to open the nonconference season, Grand Canyon has reeled off three straight victories at home to climb into second place in the WAC at 4-3-0 as of Sept. 20. The Lopes have outscored the opposition 7-0 in their past three wins, capped by a 1-0 shutout of No. 22 San Diego on Sept. 16.

GCU’S NUTORNUTSI, SCHMIDT AMONG THE MOST CONSISTENT WAC PLAYERS
Keying the current three-match winning streak for Grand Canyon has been the steady and consistent play of forward Bright Nutornutsi and goalkeeper Leon Schmidt. Nutornutsi, the reigning WAC Offensive Player of the Week, was atop the conference in goals per match (0.71) and tied for the conference lead with five goals over his first seven matches, checking in second in the league in points (11) entering a showdown with Houston Christian on Sept. 20. Schmidt, a three-time conference goalkeeper of the week already in 2023,  was the WAC leader in solo shutouts (3), saves (40) and saves per match (5.71) entering the Houston Christian contest.

WAC TEAMS AMONG THE NCAA LEADERS
As of the latest NCAA Division I men’s soccer national statistics report on Sept. 19, UTRGV was first in the country in shot accuracy by logging a .641 average on shot attempts on goal thus far this season. Grand Canyon goalkeeper Leon Schmidt ranked fourth individually in total saves (40) and 10th in saves per match (5.71). UTRGV’s Keaviano Francis checked in third in shot accuracy with a clip of .786.

TOP-25 STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE THUS FAR FOR SEATTLE U
Ahead of its match with No. 20 Washington on Sept. 21, Seattle U has already faced one of the 25 toughest schedules in Division I men’s soccer thus far this season. The Redhawks checked in with the 21st-ranked strength of schedule in the country as of Sept. 20.