Box Score
 
PHOENIX, Ariz. (SMU) — SMU Men's Soccer won 1-0 at Grand Canyon at GCU Stadium on Thursday.
 
The Mustangs secured their first road win of the season through Milton Lopez's goal in the 19^th minute of the match.
 
Daniel Escorcia assisted Lopez's goal with his third assist in three matches this season.
 
SMU shut down GCU to zero shots in the first half. The Mustangs' defense had shut out teams to zero shots in the first half in two consecutive matches.
 
Kevin Hudson's squad improved its record to 3-1-1 for the season.
 
How It Happened
As the whistle blew, SMU held control of ball possession while the Lopes applied a full-pitch defensive press in a slow start.
 
GCU Stadium did not see a single shot until SMU opened the scoring in the 19^th minute of the match.
 
Escorcia beat his man on the right wing to swing a cross that found Lopez on the far post, who hit a first-time volley to open the scoring.
 
SMU saw multiple half-chances and registered three more shots, with two on goal, but the scoreline remained 1-0 at the end of the first half.
 
In a scrappy second half that saw four yellow card bookings, the hosts were first to get a chance on goal, but the Mustangs' collective effort fended off the threat.
 
Escorcia, Charles-Emile Brunet and Landon Hickam constructed multiple attacking sequences from the midfield, but the Mustangs fell short in the final third.
 
Jaylinn Mitchell had the biggest scoring chance of the half, but his shot went over the crossbar.
 
SMU's defense stood tall for 90 minutes, and the Mustangs took home the 1-0 win from Phoenix.
 
Other Notes

• SMU is now 1-0-1 all-time against GCU.
• Milton Lopez has scored five goals in six matches. Leading SMU's offense this season with three goals and an assist.
• Daniel Escorcia has made three assists in three matches since he returned to the starting lineup against LMU (Aug. 28).
• Landon Hickam clocked his third 90-minute match as a freshman, controlling the flow of the midfield.
• Soren Russell posted his first clean sheet for SMU.
• SMU earned its first shutout win of the season.
• SMU earned its first road win of the season.
• The last time SMU won after being outshot by an opponent was against Washington in the second round of the 2024 NCAA Championships at Washburne Stadium.
• SMU has shut down opponents to zero goals in the first half in two consecutive matches.

What's Next?
SMU returns home to host Incarnate Word at Washburne Stadium on Monday.