Women’s Soccer Ties Bakersfield 1-1

Saturday, September 26

Bakersfield, Calif.

7 p.m.

Grand Canyon

3-5-2, 0-0-1WAC

Bakersfield

2-6-2, 0-0-1WAC

OT 3

OT 4

Grand Canyon

CSU Bakersfield

9/26/2015 9:28:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

By: Grand Canyon Tie Bakersfield in First Western Athletic Conference Match

BAKERSFIELD – Western Athletic Conference play began for the Grand Canyon women's soccer team on Saturday on the road against CSU Bakersfield. The Antelopes would go into double overtime against the Roadrunners and in the first conference match of the season, GCU would tie Bakersfield 1-1. Grand Canyon is now 3-5-2 this season.

"I thought the girls came out strong in the first half and had a number of chances to score with 12 shots," head coach Stevie Gill said. "We hit the post, the cross bar and had four versus one with only the goalkeeper to beat and we could not finish."

Goalkeeper Blakely Fraasch was called upon early in the 14^th minute of play when Bakersfield had a corner kick that landed in front of Fraasch. Bakersfield's Taylor Wheeler got a shot off from eight yards but Fraasch was able to get a hand on the ball to keep the Roadrunners scoreless. Fraasch would once again come up big with a save in front of goal with a save off a Madi Giammona shot inside the box in the 26^th minute.

The Lopes outshot the Roadrunners 12-4 in the first half with five shots on goal. Brylee Hawkins came close to scoring twice in the first 45 minutes with two headers that resulted in saves from Bakersfield goalkeeper Tori Ornela. Both teams went into halftime tied at 0-0.

The Lopes would finally crack through the Bakersfield defense in the 78^th minute with a goal from Deseree Doty. After Maria Monterroso found herself taking on two defenders, Monterroso dished the ball off to Doty for a one-on-one opportunity with the goalkeeper and Doty was able to convert with a goal past the keeper near post.

"It means a lot to score my first goal because it has been my dream to play Division I soccer," Doty said. "I am glad I was just able to help out my team in any way I can and hopefully our next game we will be able to be on the winning end."

Fifteen seconds later GCU's lead quickly vanished with a goal from Bakersfield to tie the match with nearly 10 minutes left in regulation.

Both teams made their runs in overtime but nobody was able to convert the game-winner. The Roadrunners' Maja Green and Chloe Peepgrass each came into the game tied for the Bakersfield lead with three goals, leading the team and the Lopes' defense was able to not allow a single shot from the two players. Bakersfield's defense allows 13.75 shots per contest to its opponents and Grand Canyon was able to get 19 shots off.

The Antelopes will be back in action next Friday, Oct. 2, as they continue their WAC road trip to open conference play with two matchups against Texas Rio Grande Valley and New Mexico State.