The Grand Canyon University women's soccer team defeated Hawaii Pacific 3-0 tonight at the GCU Soccer Field and, in doing so, regained first place in the Pacific West Conference.
The Antelopes, who had been in first place all season, fell out of the top spot after tying second place BYU-Hawaii 2-2 in two overtimes on Thursday and losing to the Seasiders 2-1 on Saturday. By winning tonight, GCU improved its record to 7-2-1 overall, 5-1-1 in the PacWest, which puts the 'Lopes back ahead of BYU-Hawaii (5-0-2, 4-0-1). The Seasiders play third-place Dixie State (7-3-0, 4-2-0) tomorrow night in St. George, Utah.
It didn't take long for GCU to get its first goal in tonight's match. Freshman forward
Rebecca Laporte (London, England/Ashmole) chipped a shot over the keeper's head from 18 yards out after just 2 minutes, 36 seconds had elapsed. Junior defender/forward
Julia Anglin (Goodyear, AZ/Desert Edge, Scottsdale CC) was credited with an assist on the play.
It was Laporte's first career goal.
The 'Lopes didn't score again until the 64th minute, when junior forward
Michelle Carels (Anaheim, CA/El Dorado, Santiago Canyon College) scored on a penalty kick.
Carels scored again in the 68th minute when she took a free kick outside the 18-yard line. She struck the ball very hard to the keeper's right.
Carels has three goals this season, all of which have been scored in the past two games.
GCU had a 22-14 edge in shots in the game, as well as a 7-2 advantage in corner kicks. A total of 18 fouls were called. 11 of which were against HPU.
Three yellow cards and one red card were issued, all against the Sea Warriors. Junior goalkeeper Carianne Makino received her second yellow card and a red card in the 64th minute and was replaced by sophomore Yasmina Taketa.
Junior goalkeeper
Stephanie Phillips (Tempe, AZ/Corona del Sol, Washington State University) recorded her second shutout of the season.
The 'Lopes and Sea Warriors play again at 8 p.m. on Wednesday at the GCU Soccer Field.
Box score
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