Canyon Keeps Rolling

Saturday, October 22

Phoenix, AZ

12 p.m.

Grand Canyon

Academy of Art

Cierra Valdez scored the game-winner for the second straight match.

Photo by: Roy Dabner

10/22/2011 5:10:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Women's soccer team beats Academy of Art, 3-0, has lost just once in past 11 games

By: Joel Horn

The Grand Canyon University women's soccer team defeated Academy of Art University, 3-0, in a Pacific West Conference match today at the GCU Soccer Field in Phoenix. It now has lost only once in its past 11 games.

The Antelopes are 8-4-2 overall, 7-1-1 in the PacWest, and are the only NCAA women's soccer program in Arizona with a winning record. The Urban Knights, who are one win away from setting a school single-season record for wins, are 3-8-2, 1-6-2.

Sophomore midfielder Cierra Valdez (Phoenix, AZ, Westview) scored the first goal in the 32nd minute when she took a free kick at the top of the 18-yard box and slotted it into the lower-right corner of the net. It was her third goal of the season and the second consecutive match in which she has scored the game-winner. She also scored a game-winner last season.

Freshman forward/midfielder Caitlin Cartwright (Tucson, AZ, Cienega) scored the first goal of her GCU career in the 68th minute when she took a cross from the right side from freshman midfielder Chelsea Santos (Ajax, Ontario, Canada), turned to her left and shot the ball. Four of Cartwright's eight shots this season have been on frame. She also has one assist. Santos now has two assists.

The match's final goal came on a penalty kick in the 71st minute by senior defender Kelli Woodard (Glendale, AZ, Deer Valley, University of San Francisco). It was Woodard's second goal of the season. Both have come on penalty kicks.

Senior goalkeeper Stephanie Phillips (Tempe, AZ, Corona Del Sol, Washington State University) recorded four saves and posted her second shutout in as many games. She now has four on the season. As a team, the 'Lopes have five.

GCU again played without its top player, junior midfielder Marina Nesic (Koceljeva, Serbia, Nada Dimic Zemun), who was in Serbia playing for the national "A" team in a qualifier for the 2013 UEFA Women's European Championship against Slovenia. Serbia beat Slovenia today, 2-1.

Nesic, the 2010 PacWest Player of the Year, will be back on campus by Monday and be with the team for its next match, at first-place California Baptist (11-1-1, 7-0-1) at 3 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on Wednesday in Riverside, Calif.

The 'Lopes are in second place in the conference.

The Lancers will play in Phoenix at 7 p.m. next Saturday, Oct. 29, at the GCU Soccer Field. GCU's last game of the regular season will be against Dixie State (6-7-0, 4-3-0) on Nov. 3 in St. George, Utah.

GCU had a 19-6 advantage in shots in today's match, as well as a 9-4 edge in shots on goal.

The 'Lopes wore special pink jerseys in today's game to promote breast cancer awareness. They and the Urban Knights released pink balloons into the air before pre-game introductions. The lines on the field were painted pink, and pink balloons surrounded the field and the entryway to it. Limited-edition pink T-shirts were sold with all of the proceeds benefiting breast cancer research.

GCU 3, Academy of Art 0

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