Grand Canyon University’s Lopes are set to open their first-ever Mountain West Conference men’s soccer season on August 20, facing Stanford in a debut that carries both excitement and high expectations.
A historic opening match
Head coach Jamie Davies will be watching closely as his squad takes the field, marking his first official match in charge of the program and adding a personal milestone to the occasion.
The preseason poll placed the Lopes alongside San José State with 22 points each, while the defending WAC champions earned four first‑place votes, underscoring a competitive outlook.
United Soccer Coaches has ranked the team 21st nationally, reflecting confidence in the program’s potential as it embarks on its inaugural conference schedule.
Key newcomers and returning leaders
Among the newcomers, forward Beltran Fernandez earned a spot on the preseason watch list; the senior, in his final year of eligibility after a stint at Florida International, is expected to bolster the attack and support a new goalkeeping crew.
Returning seniors Jorge Lopez and Martin Luala bring valuable experience, with Luala having recorded a goal and two assists last season and being selected 28th overall by San Diego FC in the recent draft.
Lopez, a Bakersfield native, has appeared in 51 games since 2022, accumulating 7 goals, 9 assists and over 3,300 minutes of playing time.
Schedule and broadcast details
The Lopes will host Sacramento State on August 23 and welcome UC Riverside on August 28, with both matches streamed live on MW+. Coverage will also be available for the opening Stanford fixture.
With a blend of seasoned talent and promising newcomers, the team hopes to translate early momentum into a successful campaign that could see them climb even higher in the national rankings.