2025 WAC Men's Soccer Release - NCAA Tournament Third Round

GCU ADVANCES THROUGH THE FIRST TWO ROUNDS OF THE NCAA TOURNAMENT ON THE ROAD
Grand Canyon has continued its late season surge over the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament, advancing to the final 16 of the tournament with a pair of results on the road. After a 0-0 draw following two overtime periods in the first round at UCLA on Nov. 20, the Lopes advanced past the Bruins in a shootout by way of a 3-1 tally. With its first NCAA Division I tournament result, GCU next traveled to No. 9 San Diego and emerged with a 2-1 upset victory on Nov. 23. GCU is the first WAC men’s soccer program to reach the second weekend of the NCAA tournament since Air Force in 2018.

GCU CAPTURES FINAL WAC MEN’S SOCCER TOURNAMENT TITLE IN A THRILLER
The 2025 WAC Men’s Soccer Tournament did not disappoint, sending the sport out on a high note during the final men’s soccer postseason tournament in the conference’s history. No. 3 seed Grand Canyon downed No. 6 Utah Valley 1-0 in the quarterfinal round, No. 2 Utah Tech 5-0 in the semifinal round and No. 4 San José State 2-1 in the championship final to capture its second WAC tournament crown in men’s soccer.

DJOUF CONTINUES IMPRESSIVE FRESHMAN YEAR IN GCU’S NCAA RUN
Grand Canyon forward Junior Diouf earned both WAC Player and Freshman of the Year honors for 2025 after leading the conference in scoring during the regular season, and Diouf claimed Most Outstanding Player honors at the WAC Men’s Soccer Tournament after leading the field with three goals and two assists. Diouf recorded what ultimately was the deciding goal of a penalty shootout at UCLA in the first round of the NCAA tournament to enable GCU to advance following a 0-0 draw on Nov. 20. In the 88th minute of a 1-1 draw with No. 9 San Diego on Nov. 23, Diouf broke free for the match-winning and NCAA-leading 18th goal of the season at 87:39 in a 2-1 second round upset.

THE WAC IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT
WAC programs have now reached the third round of the NCAA tournament three different times (Seattle U in 2015, Air Force in 2018 and Grand Canyon in 2025) and the NCAA quarterfinals on two occasions (Fresno State in 1996, SMU in 1997). WAC programs have advanced at least one round in 11 prior NCAA men’s soccer tournaments since 1996, including two of the past three seasons.