Women's Soccer Downs Dixie State for Fifth Straight Win

Tuesday, October 16

St. George, UT

6:00 PM

Grand Canyon

Dixie State

Cat Lena

Photo by: Darryl Webb

Women's Soccer Downs Dixie State for Fifth Straight Win

10/16/2012 8:18:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Score two goals in second half to claim 2-1 victory

The Grand Canyon University women’s soccer team defeated Dixie State, 2-1, tonight in St. George, Utah to extend their season-high win streak to five games. The Antelopes are now 8-4-2 overall and 7-1-2 in the Pacific West Conference, while the Red Storm are 6-6-2 overall and 6-4-0 in conference play.

The win streak is the longest for GCU since stringing together six victories from Oct. 1-26, 2011.

The ‘Lopes were outshot by the Red Storm, 21-18, as Dixie State also placed 16 shots on goal compared to 10 for GCU. Goalkeeper Cat Lena had a career-high 15 saves in the game.

"After a lackluster first half and being down 1-0, we rallied in the second half and started to close Dixie State down," said head coach Stevie Gill. "It is never an easy game against Dixie, as they are very well organized and extremely athletic. Both sides missed numerous chances and Cat stole a Dixie goal with a world class save that would have given them a 2-0 lead."

The Red Storm held the slight advantage in shots during the first half, 8-7, placing seven of those on goal. Lena halted six of those shots and would stop nine more in the second half to preserve the win.

Dixie State scored the first goal of the game in the 19^th minute on a header shot to the right side of the net. The Red Storm took six more shots for the remainder of the half, but GCU’s defense kept the Dixie State lead at just one goal after the first 45 minutes.

Despite holding a two-shot advantage in the second half, Dixie State could not fend off a late offensive surge by the ‘Lopes. GCU evened the score when Rakeisha Sealey found the back of the net in the 72^nd minute, as her shot sailed over the head of Dixie State’s goalkeeper.

Emily Ravenhill then gave the ‘Lopes their first lead of the game when she scored off of a defender’s pass, sending the ball to the left corner of the net.

"It was fantastic to see the ball hit the back of the net on Rakeisha's goal and even better to see Emily get on the scoreboard with her first college goal to win the game," added Gill. "I'm very proud of the girl's for fighting back. Saturday's game back in Phoenix promises to be a battle."

GCU will return home for a game against the Red Storm at 8 p.m. on the GCU Soccer Field before hitting the road for two contests in Southern California next week.

GCU 2, DSC 1