RIVERSIDE, Calif. — #3 Grand Canyon outlasted #4 San Jose St. 2-1 on Saturday in a tightly contested WAC Tournament matchup before 274 spectators. The Antelopes extended their winning streak to five consecutive victories with a second-half performance that proved decisive against the fourth-seeded Spartans, who entered the match riding momentum from back-to-back tournament wins.
Grand Canyon controlled the second half after a scoreless first 45 minutes, breaking through with two quick goals to seize control. Felipe Cobian opened the scoring in the 65th minute, giving the home side a crucial advantage. Junior Diouf doubled the lead just moments later at the 66th minute with an assist from Alan Hermitte, putting the Antelopes firmly in command with their 5-3 advantage in shots on goal proving meaningful.
San Jose St. refused to surrender, pulling one back through Dane Pendleton in the 84th minute with assists from Angel Iniguez and Gilberto Rivera. The goal set up a tense final stretch, but Grand Canyon's defense held firm to secure the victory. The Spartans generated 13 total shot attempts compared to Grand Canyon's 6, yet the Antelopes' efficiency in front of goal made the difference.
The match featured physical play throughout, with San Jose St. receiving two yellow cards to Grand Canyon's three. Gilberto Rivera drew yellow for the Spartans, while Martin Luala, Diego Sanchez, and Daniel Ibarra received cautions for the Antelopes. A red card review in the 72nd minute resulted in no action, keeping both teams at full strength through the closing stages.
Grand Canyon's goalkeeper made two crucial saves, while San Jose St.'s keeper recorded three stops in a losing effort. The Antelopes' four corner kicks compared to two for the Spartans reflected their territorial dominance, particularly in the second half when they controlled the tempo and dictated play.
The victory marked another impressive tournament performance for #3 Grand Canyon, which has now won three consecutive matches in the WAC Tournament. The Antelopes defeated #6 Utah Valley 1-0 and #2 Utah Tech 5-0 before this triumph, establishing themselves as formidable contenders in the competition. San Jose St., meanwhile, saw its tournament run end after consecutive victories over #5 San Diego St. and #1 California Baptist, unable to maintain that form against Grand Canyon's balanced attack.
Grand Canyon's 13-3-4 overall record reflects a team playing at an elite level, while San Jose St. finishes at 12-4-4 despite the tournament setback. The Antelopes' ability to execute in crucial moments—particularly the back-to-back goals in the 65th and 66th minutes—proved the difference in a match that remained competitive throughout.