EL PASO – To kick off the first road trip of the season, the Grand Canyon women's soccer team faced UTEP. The Antelopes fell behind early to UTEP and dropped the 4-1 match to the Miners. GCU is now 3-2-1 this season.
UTEP started the game scoring in the 18th minute off a goal from Jeanna Mullen and four minutes later the Miners would extend their lead to two goals with a header from Aleah Davis. In the 30th minute UTEP made it three goals with a goal from Alexis Roberts. McKenzie Cook came close to scoring GCU's first goal of the game in the 35th minute but UTEP's Alyssa Palacios dove to keep GCU scoreless.
GCU went into halftime down three goals and UTEP would make it 4-0 in the 55th minute but Grand Canyon refused to quit scoring in the 63rd minute. Milla Benedetti recorded her fourth goal of the season off an assist from Kelsey Smith. GCU's offensive attack improved in the second half putting up 13 shots. For the match, the Lopes put up 19 shots. After 11 shots in the first half, GCU's defense improved allowing only six shots with three on target.
Grand Canyon will be back in action on Sunday, Sept. 13, against the defending national champion, Florida State, with play beginning at 10 a.m. (MST).