Women's Soccer Wins Fourth Straight

Saturday, October 13

Phoenix, AZ

8:00 PM

Grand Canyon

Dominican

Jessica Fitzgerald

Photo by: Darryl Webb

10/13/2012 10:50:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Defeat Dominican 2-0 in final game of long homestand

The Grand Canyon University women’s soccer team won, 2-0, tonight against Dominican (CA) on the GCU Soccer Field. With the win, the ‘Lopes improved to 7-4-2 overall and 6-1-2 in the Pacific West Conference, while the Penguins are now 5-5-1 overall and 4-3-1 in conference play.

The win was the fourth straight for GCU as they completed the five-game homestand with a 4-1 record. The win streak is their longest since winning six consecutive games from Oct. 1-26, 2011.

Tonight’s game was the fifth shutout for the ‘Lopes this season and the third in their past four games. GCU goalkeeper Cat Lena has been in the net for each of those.

"It was great to see us get on the scoreboard so quickly," said head coach Stevie Gill. "Gabby scored a great goal and played great throughout the competition although she was feeling under the weather. We created an enormous amount of chances with a total of 25 shots against Dominican, but their keeper played great and took care of most of them."

The ‘Lopes outshot the Penguins by a margin of 25-9 and also placed 17 of their shots on goal. Lena recorded saves on the four shots on goal by Dominican tonight.

The ‘Lopes got on the board quickly as Gabriella Zavala de Rojas found the back of the net in the sixth minute of the game. That would be the lone score of the half, although the ‘Lopes collected 13 shots while limiting the Penguins to just two. Nine of those GCU shots were placed on goal as Penguins goalkeeper Megan Herring notched eight saves in the half.

Jessica Fitzgerald extended GCU’s lead with a goal in the 73^rd minute on a high ball to the back left corner of the net. GCU once again held the advantage in shots, 12-7, as they put pressure on the Penguins defense for most of the 90-minute contest.

"I thought we played very well in the second half connecting passes and dictating the speed of play," added Gill. "Fitzgerald sealed the deal with a fantastic strike in the top corner to give us the two-goal lead. Now we need to focus our efforts on doing the business up in Utah against Dixie State on Tuesday evening. It is always nice to leave the game with a clean sheet again with Lena playing her usual steady self in net. All in all, a very good showing from the girls tonight. "

The ‘Lopes will travel to St. George, Utah for a match against Dixie State on Tuesday at 6 p.m. (Arizona time) before returning home for a game versus the Red Storm next Saturday at 8 p.m.

GCU 2, DUC 0