EVANSVILLE, Ind. - At home for its second-straight match on Friday, the University of Evansville faces a test against its first of what could be multiple matchups against top 25 ranked foes this season.

The Purple Aces play host to No. 17/24 Grand Canyon at Arad McCutchan Stadium at 6 p.m. on Friday evening.

"It's not going to be an easy road in front of us. We have three unbeaten teams and IU in our next four matches, but that's why people come here to the University of Evansville to play and play in those types of games and we've got to step up and do what we can do on the field and there's no better way to test yourself than against a good team here on your home field on Friday night."

Evansville returns to action following a weekend that saw the Aces grab a pair of draws. In a road matchup with Eastern Illinois last Friday, UE battled back from a goal down to tie the match in regulation, but could not find the go-ahead goal in overtime, earning a 1-1 tie with the Panthers. On Sunday, Evansville took an early lead over the Jaguars in the 13th minute, but IUPUI scored two goals in response to take a 2-1 lead. In the 86th minute, junior Hunter DeWeese equalized the match off assists from freshman Ryan Harris and junior Ben Weber helping the Aces grab a tie with IUPUI, 2-2.
 

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UE vs. No. 17/24 Grand Canyon (Friday, 6 p.m.):  The Valley on ESPN (ESPN +) | Live Stats | GCU Website

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On Friday, Evansville and GCU's meeting marks just the second all-time meeting between the Aces and Lopes. In last season's first meeting in series history, Evansville put nine shots on-goal, but the Lopes' goal in the 76th minute was enough to give GCU the 1-0 victory at home.Grand Canyon enters Friday's match 2-0 and garners the program's first top 25 ranking. The Lopes two victories in 2018 both came at GCU Stadium over top 25 competition, the first coming in a 2-1 win over No. 12 Wisconsin and the second in a 1-0 victory over No. 20 Creighton.

Friday night's match is All Aboard Game No. 2 and Faculty Appreciation Night. Area students will receive complimentary admission to Friday's match with their All Aboard cards and move one step closer to free admission to a men's basketball game. During halftime of the match, the University of Evansville will recognize faculty selected by UE men's soccer student-athletes for their efforts.

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