Grand Canyon University head women's soccer coach Stevie Gill has released the program's 2015 schedule. Included on the list of opponents is a contest with defending National Champion Florida State—the Antelopes and Seminoles will meet September 13 in Tallahassee, Fla.
Click here to view the entire 2015 schedule."We are very much looking forward to playing against the top team in the country this year over in Tallahassee, Florida," said Gill. "In order to accurately assess our strengths and weaknesses it is imperative that we play against the best players in the country so we know exactly where we are within our programs development and what we need in order to be successful."
GCU is coming off of a year in which they would have qualified for the Western Athletic Conference Postseason Tournament after finishing tied for third in the conference. Gill was named the WAC Coach of the Year, while goalkeeper Blakely Fraasch took home Freshman of the Year honors.
"It is always nice to be recognized by your peers but I would take a conference championship anytime over the individual accolades," stated Gill.
GCU's 19-game slate will feature 10 home contests on campus at GCU. The Lopes will open the year with a five-game homestand from August 28 through September 6.
"We have prepared a fantastic non-conference schedule that will provide us with excellent competition before our conference play begins," added Gill. "With games against Colorado State, Weber State, Alabama State, North Dakota State and University of Texas-El Paso, we should be ready to rock 'n' roll by the time we hit our conference play."
After the preseason Purple vs. White game—which will be played in Prescott—the regular season will get underway at home when in-state rival Northern Arizona makes the trip down I-17 to Phoenix for a showdown on August 21. The Lumberjacks were a NCAA Tournament team a season ago. GCU will then remain inside the confines of their home stadium for the next four games before traveling to UTEP on September 11.
GCU's nine-game non-conference schedule will conclude when the Lopes play a pair of games (Robert Morris and North Dakota State) at the NAU tournament in Flagstaff.
WAC play begins September 26 when GCU travels to Bakersfield for a contest with the 'Runners and continues with two road games at UTRGV (formerly Texas-Pan American) and New Mexico State. After opening the conference season with three-straight road games, GCU will close out its league schedule with three games in Phoenix (Utah Valley, Seattle U and Bakersfield).
"We are very excited to get the players back on campus and start working with them for our 2015 campaign," concluded Gill.
Fans can stay up-to-date with all of the latest women's soccer happenings by visiting
www.gculopes.com.