Completed Event: Women's Soccer versus Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) on February 14, 2026 ,
W Soccer
vs Embry-Riddle (Ariz.)
Grand Canyon University Athletics
Women’s Soccer Senior Day: Four Players, Four Different Paths
10/30/2015 10:29:00 AM | Women's Soccer
PHOENIX – It may not be the biggest senior class and they may not be the most vocal group, but the 2015 Grand Canyon women's senior class has definitely left its mark on the GCU program. Before its final match of the season on Saturday against CSU Bakersfield, Grand Canyon will honor seniors Daryl Bradley, Cassie Beckwith, Martine Gjennestad and Kelsie Roberts.
"As a group, these seniors have worked tirelessly both in the classroom and on the field of play," head coach Stevie Gill said. "It certainly has not been easy for them as they have navigated uncharted waters and opened the door to NCAA Division I competition here at GCU playing against such national powerhouses as Stanford and Florida State in their first years of NCAA Division I. They have weathered tough times including heavy road trip schedules due to our NCAA Division I transition and strong non-conference competition although having been initially recruited to compete at the NCAA Division II level."
Gjennestad has been the lone senior to play for GCU all four years and when Bradley, Beckwith and Roberts came to this program they had to establish an identity heading into the Western Athletic Conference. In the three years these seniors have competed in the WAC, the Antelopes have gone 15-14-2, finishing as high as second place. The four players have helped lead GCU to 29 wins over four years.
Although quiet at the forward position, Beckwith has let her game do the talking on the field this season scoring five goals in her final campaign. When the team was looking for someone to step up at the beginning of the season, Beckwith delivered with a game-tying goal against Northern Arizona. Currently, Beckwith is second in shots during conference play firing off 33 shots in nine matches and is tied for 10th in the WAC with three goals during conference. The Phoenix local will graduate in May with a degree in exercise science with an emphasis in physical education.
"We brought Cassie on board after she had a successful run winning the National Championship at the Junior College level," Gill said. "I will always remember Cassie for her speed and uncanny ability move past defenders with ease."
When Beckwith tied the match against NAU this season, it was only fitting that a fellow senior would finish it off and Roberts was able to fill that role. The senior from Buckeye, Ariz. delivered GCU's first win in school history over NAU with a header in overtime in front of a record crowd of 2,565 fans and fans rushing the field after her header. Roberts has battled multiple injuries throughout her collegiate career but her determination has never come into question and it has shown on the field with her willingness to do whatever it takes for the team to win. Roberts will graduate in May as well with a degree in exercise science with an emphasis in health education after scoring two goals this season.
"Kelsie Roberts transferred to us from a Division II program in New Mexico and worked hard to overcome injuries in order to play her final year here at GCU," Gill said. "Her intensity and tenacious nature provided us with a much needed presence up front as she worked until the final whistle."
Gjennestad has exemplified what it mean to be a student-athlete in Division I athletics. The native of Norway currently holds a 3.41 GPA and continues to be consistent player for Gill this season. Gjennestad came up clutch in her final season when she provided the game-winning goal against Missouri-Kansas City late in the game with a beautiful shot from 35-yards out. Gjennestad will graduate in May with a degree in biology.
"Martine came to us from the U-16 Norwegian National Team and was always a very hard worker playing multiple positions for us over her four years here at GCU," Gill said.
Bradley has competed in four matches throughout her career and even though she battled injuries throughout her time at GCU, Bradley has provided leadership, mentoring the young goalkeepers. The native of Anaheim Hills, Calif. picked up GCU's first win in 2014 with a 2-1 win at home against Idaho.
"Daryl was a goalkeeper transfer from Howard University and played a number of games for us including a game last year where she played as a striker vs Utah Valley University as we had so many injuries on the road," Gill said.
Bradley will graduate in May with a degree in December with a degree in exercise science with an emphasis in health education. Bradley also minored in athletic coaching, with the hopes of the lessons learned on the pitch here at GCU Soccer Field will benefit her down the road in her professional career.
"Each of our seniors have done GCU proud and with an overall Division I WAC Conference record of 15-14-2 to date," Gill said. "They have helped us build a clear vision of what it takes to be successful at the next level."
Tears have been shed and sweat has been poured onto the field but one thing will never come into question, and that is the success and hard work that these seniors have given to Grand Canyon University and the soccer program.
"We are a melting pot because we came to Grand Canyon at different times but we have formed a bond that will last forever," Gjennestad said.
Their final season could not have gotten off to a better start when GCU made history breaking the Arizona record of most fans at a college match at the time and defeated the Lumberjacks for the first time in school history. Fast forward to Saturday night, hopefully the 2015 Lopes can give their four seniors a treat on Halloween and send them off with a victory.
"We are all different people but at the same we are all so close," Bradley said.
"As a group, these seniors have worked tirelessly both in the classroom and on the field of play," head coach Stevie Gill said. "It certainly has not been easy for them as they have navigated uncharted waters and opened the door to NCAA Division I competition here at GCU playing against such national powerhouses as Stanford and Florida State in their first years of NCAA Division I. They have weathered tough times including heavy road trip schedules due to our NCAA Division I transition and strong non-conference competition although having been initially recruited to compete at the NCAA Division II level."
Gjennestad has been the lone senior to play for GCU all four years and when Bradley, Beckwith and Roberts came to this program they had to establish an identity heading into the Western Athletic Conference. In the three years these seniors have competed in the WAC, the Antelopes have gone 15-14-2, finishing as high as second place. The four players have helped lead GCU to 29 wins over four years.
Although quiet at the forward position, Beckwith has let her game do the talking on the field this season scoring five goals in her final campaign. When the team was looking for someone to step up at the beginning of the season, Beckwith delivered with a game-tying goal against Northern Arizona. Currently, Beckwith is second in shots during conference play firing off 33 shots in nine matches and is tied for 10th in the WAC with three goals during conference. The Phoenix local will graduate in May with a degree in exercise science with an emphasis in physical education.
"We brought Cassie on board after she had a successful run winning the National Championship at the Junior College level," Gill said. "I will always remember Cassie for her speed and uncanny ability move past defenders with ease."
When Beckwith tied the match against NAU this season, it was only fitting that a fellow senior would finish it off and Roberts was able to fill that role. The senior from Buckeye, Ariz. delivered GCU's first win in school history over NAU with a header in overtime in front of a record crowd of 2,565 fans and fans rushing the field after her header. Roberts has battled multiple injuries throughout her collegiate career but her determination has never come into question and it has shown on the field with her willingness to do whatever it takes for the team to win. Roberts will graduate in May as well with a degree in exercise science with an emphasis in health education after scoring two goals this season.
"Kelsie Roberts transferred to us from a Division II program in New Mexico and worked hard to overcome injuries in order to play her final year here at GCU," Gill said. "Her intensity and tenacious nature provided us with a much needed presence up front as she worked until the final whistle."
Gjennestad has exemplified what it mean to be a student-athlete in Division I athletics. The native of Norway currently holds a 3.41 GPA and continues to be consistent player for Gill this season. Gjennestad came up clutch in her final season when she provided the game-winning goal against Missouri-Kansas City late in the game with a beautiful shot from 35-yards out. Gjennestad will graduate in May with a degree in biology.
"Martine came to us from the U-16 Norwegian National Team and was always a very hard worker playing multiple positions for us over her four years here at GCU," Gill said.
Bradley has competed in four matches throughout her career and even though she battled injuries throughout her time at GCU, Bradley has provided leadership, mentoring the young goalkeepers. The native of Anaheim Hills, Calif. picked up GCU's first win in 2014 with a 2-1 win at home against Idaho.
"Daryl was a goalkeeper transfer from Howard University and played a number of games for us including a game last year where she played as a striker vs Utah Valley University as we had so many injuries on the road," Gill said.
Bradley will graduate in May with a degree in December with a degree in exercise science with an emphasis in health education. Bradley also minored in athletic coaching, with the hopes of the lessons learned on the pitch here at GCU Soccer Field will benefit her down the road in her professional career.
"Each of our seniors have done GCU proud and with an overall Division I WAC Conference record of 15-14-2 to date," Gill said. "They have helped us build a clear vision of what it takes to be successful at the next level."
Tears have been shed and sweat has been poured onto the field but one thing will never come into question, and that is the success and hard work that these seniors have given to Grand Canyon University and the soccer program.
"We are a melting pot because we came to Grand Canyon at different times but we have formed a bond that will last forever," Gjennestad said.
Their final season could not have gotten off to a better start when GCU made history breaking the Arizona record of most fans at a college match at the time and defeated the Lumberjacks for the first time in school history. Fast forward to Saturday night, hopefully the 2015 Lopes can give their four seniors a treat on Halloween and send them off with a victory.
"We are all different people but at the same we are all so close," Bradley said.
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