GCU Rediscovers Offensive Punch, Defeats Academy of Art 4-0

Thursday, October 28

San Francisco, CA

1:00 p.m. (changed from 3:00 p.m.)

Grand Canyon

Academy of Art

Rebecca Laporte

GCU Rediscovers Offensive Punch, Defeats Academy of Art 4-0

10/28/2010 3:44:30 PM | Women's Soccer

By: Joel Horn

Freshman forward Fiona Moloney (Limerick, Ireland/St. Mary’s Secondary School) scored two goals to lead the Grand Canyon University women’s soccer team, ranked No. 9 in the West Region in the official NCAA Division II poll, to a 4-0 win over Academy of Art 4-0 today at Treasure Island in San Francisco.

The Antelopes improved to 9-4-1 overall, 7-3-1 in the Pacific West Conference. The Urban Knights fell to 2-10-3, 1-9-1. GCU remains in second place in the PacWest behind BYU-Hawaii (12-0-2, 10-0-1), which is ranked No. 1 in the West Region in the NCAA poll and No. 3 in the region and No. 18 nationally in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America vote.

The ‘Lopes played to a 2-2, double-overtime draw with the Seasiders on Sept. 30 and lost 2-1 to them two days later. Both games were in Phoenix.

GCU had scored just three goals in its past three games, so the offensive outburst was welcome.

Freshman forward Rebecca Laporte (London, England/Ashmole School) gave the ‘Lopes a 1-0 lead in the eight minute when the keeper came out on a cross from junior forward Michelle Carels (Anaheim, CA/El Dorado, Santiago Canyon College) and Laporte scored from 6 feet out.

Moloney made it 2-0 in the 25^th minute when she headed a free kick from sophomore defender Milica Mihajlovic (Novi Sad, Serbia/Chemistry School, University of Texas at Brownsville) from 40 feet into the left corner of the net.

Moloney scored again in the 47^th minute on a shot from 20 feet in the middle of the box. The goal was unassisted.

Carels capped the scoring in the 60^th minute when she dribbled and shot from 20 feet. Her goal, too, was unassisted.

GCU had a 23-1 advantage in shots in the game (11 in the first half, 12 in the second). Both teams had two corner kicks.

ART U goalkeeper Hana Klimek recorded nine saves, while the ‘Lopes’ keepers, junior Stephanie Phillips (Tempe, AZ/Corona del Sol, Washington State University) and freshman Cat Lena (Tucson, AZ/Salpointe Catholic) made none in combining on the shutout.

A total of 23 fouls were called, 13 of which were on GCU.

Offensive prowess was not a concern the last time the ‘Lopes and Urban Knights played. GCU defeated ART U 6-0 on Sept. 18 in San Francisco. Sophomore midfielder Marina Nesic (Koceljeva, Serbia/Nada Dimic Zemun) scored five goals in that game, a school and PacWest record and the national single-game high this season. Nesic suffered a torn meniscus on Sept. 30 and underwent surgery to repair her knee on Oct. 19. She may be ready to play again in about two weeks, when the ‘Lopes hope to be in the NCAA tournament for the first time in the program’s history.

ART U’s most recent game was against William Jessup, a top-ranked NAIA team. The Urban Knights and Warriors battled the elements and each other, and settled for a scoreless draw. Klimek was named to the PacWest Women’s Soccer Top 10 Honor Roll for her efforts, which included six saves and a shutout.

Box score

###