Lopes dismantle NM State in 5-0 shutout

Friday, October 21

Phoenix, Ariz.

4:00 p.m.

Grand Canyon

7-8-1(3-1-1)

New Mexico State

4-11-2(1-1-2)

New Mexico State

Grand Canyon

10/21/2016 7:50:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: Imani Suber

PHOENIX -- The Grand Canyon women's soccer team continued its winnings ways Friday night as it defeated conference rival New Mexico State 5-0 and notched its sixth shutout of the season. The Lopes improve to 7-8-1 on the year and now occupy the No. 2 spot in the WAC standings with a 3-1-1 mark.

Five Lopes found the back of the net Friday and Rachel Mina and Milla Benedetti both tallied goals with assists. Maria Monterroso notched a goal for the third consecutive week, while Madison Cox picked up her fourth goal and Fiona Samodurov netted her first collegiate goal.

How it Happened:
The Lopes got off to a quick start as Benedetti struck first off a perfect service from Mina to take the 1-0 lead in the 10th minute. GCU's defense smothered the Aggies, holding them to just two shots in the first half. The Lopes offense fired on all cylinders as they rattled off 12 shots in the first. Cox picked up her fourth goal of the year after receiving the ball from McKenzie Cook to give the Lopes a 2-0 advantage heading into the half.

GCU's offense continued to dismantle the Aggies as Samodurov netted her first career goal seven minutes into the half after Joanna Lagunas sent over a pass to extend the lead to 3-0. The Lopes defense was even more stifling as they allowed just one shot and no shots on goal in the entire contest to render the Aggies scoreless.

In the 63rd, Mina came charging down the field and eluded an Aggie defender to receive a beautiful cross pass from Benedetti and blasted the ball into the back of the net to pick up her third goal of the year and extend the lead to 4-0.

While GCU held a comfortable lead, the offense was not satisfied and Monterroso broke free in the 76th minute for an unassisted goal to score her third goal in four matches and seal the GCU victory at 5-0.

Lopes Notes:

The Lopes improve to 7-8-1 on the season and 3-1-1 in WAC play.
With the victory, the Lopes move to second place in the WAC.
Milla Benedetti and Rachel Mina both registered a goal and an assist.
Maria Monterroso scored her third goal in four games and has netted a goal for the third consecutive week.
GCU collected its sixth shutout of the season and third at home.
GK Blakely Fraasch and the Lopes' backline have held opponents to less than five shots for the fourth time this season and third time at GCU Stadium.
With tonight's victory, the Lopes improve to 5-2 in GCU Stadium.

Lopes Quotes:
Head Coach Derek Leader
"This was a great, tremendous win for us tonight. It propelled us into second place alone in the conference and anytime we can score five and give up zero it's a plus for us. I'm really proud of how the girls played today."

Up Next:
The Lopes conclude their home slate Sunday, Oct. 23 as they welcome UTRGV to GCU Stadium at 1:00 p.m. MST. GCU will honor its nine seniors prior to Sundays contest in a Senior Recognition Day ceremony.