Eleventh Ranked Toros Topple 20th-Ranked Grand Canyon 1-0 After Retiring Former Toro JT Minami's Jersey

Jaret Minami's family is presented his jersey by head coach Joe Flanagan, CSUDH VP for Student Affairs Boice Bowman and CSUDH Athletics Director Patrick Guillen (image courtesy of Michael Foo).

Box Score

Box score

Carson, CA -- Emotions ran high Thursday evening as 11th-ranked CSUDH honored former Toros men's soccer player Jaret Minami by retiring his jersey prior to the contest against 20th-ranked Grand Canyon, and then proceeded to take a hard-fought 1-0 win over the Antelopes to the season opener for the two teams.

Both squads had even play during the first half until the 40th minute when Kris Clark slotted the ball to Scott Mariano, who in turn dished to Greg Piechota. Pietchoa then used his entire 5-9 frame to head the ball far post, which netted the game's first goal when GCU keeper Kyle Pearsall failed to control the shot attempt that trickled across the goal line for the score.

The Toros turned on their offense after the break by outshooting the 'Lopes 15-2. Near miss after near miss kept GCU on the defense as a Diego Turoldo rocket, a Kyle Holland blast, and a Carmelo Terranova header all just misfired early in the second half.

GCU had its best chance in the 63rd minute as a through ball found a diving Cody Russell deep in the Toro zone, but Russell jetted his shot just wide of sprawling Toro keeper Justin Commins, keeping CSUDH up 1-0.

Holland nearly gave the Toros a 2-nil lead in the 87th minute, but his point-blank gimme was denied by a one-handed diving save from Pearsall, providing the defensive highlight for the 'Lopes.

CSUDH's defense was in top form as two-time All-American Kevin Gallaugher set the tone early with his aggressive play as the Toros limited GCU to just three shots on the night, compared to 19 total for the hosts.

The Toros take to the great northwest to take on Western Washington, Seattle Pacific and St. Martin's University, before returning home on September 9 to battle Concordia (CA) at 4:30 pm.

Print Friendly Version