The Grand Canyon University women’s soccer team announced their spring and fall schedules for the 2012 season with action slated to kick off on March 10th. The ‘Lopes finished with a record of 9-6-3 overall and 8-2-2 in the Pacific West Conference in 2011 en route to clinching the program’s first-ever NCAA tournament berth. GCU was ranked No. 10 in the West Region and No. 8 in the region in the National Soccer Coaches of America poll, while finishing second in the PacWest.
Contests against Division I schools Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University and the University of Arizona highlight GCU’s spring schedule as they are slated to play five contests prior to the fall season.
“In order to see where we are at individually and collectively, it is essential that we play the top teams in the region during the spring in order to make a plan of action to tackle our deficiencies,” said head coach Stevie Gill. “We focus a tremendous amount of time in the spring season on overall strength and individual technical work. It is a wonderful opportunity for the coaching staff to work closely with the players on what they need to do individually to better their game.”
GCU will host Embry Riddle University on March 10th as their spring slate gets underway. The ‘Lopes will host three of the five games, while making trips to Tempe on April 5th for the ASU matchup and Flagstaff on April 15th to face off against NAU.
NAU is coming off a tough 2011 season that saw them miss the Big Sky Conference tournament for the first time in four years. Embry Riddle qualified for A.I.I. Conference postseason play for the fourth straight season in 2011.
“As we always strive to recruit top players from around the world to improve our program, and our 2012 recruiting class will be no different,” added Gill. “It is a great chance for current players here at GCU to stamp their mark on a starting spot as we see them playing on a daily basis.”
The ‘Lopes open the regular season on Aug. 30 against Sonoma State in St. George, Utah. GCU will also face off against Cal-State Los Angeles on Sept. 1 in St. George before returning home to play two contests beginning on Sept. 6 against CSU-Pueblo.
GCU will open PacWest play on Sept. 15 when they travel to Fresno, Calif. to take on Fresno Pacific University. The ‘Lopes will play their conference home opener on Sept. 29 as they host Azusa Pacific University. GCU will play five consecutive home games beginning on Sept. 29 and will close out the regular season at home on Nov. 3 against Cal Baptist.
2012 Grand Canyon University Women's Soccer Spring Schedule
March 31, 1 p.m. – University of Arizona at GCU
April 5, 7 p.m. – at Arizona State
April 14, 12 p.m. – at Northern Arizona
April 15, 2 p.m. – Embry Riddle at GCU