Lopes put up fight in 3-2 loss to UTEP

Sunday, August 28

Phoenix, Ariz.

1:00 p.m.

Grand Canyon

0-4-0

UTEP

2-0-2

Team	1	2	Final F
UTEP	0	3	3
Grand Canyon	0	2	2

Photo by: Michael Rincon

8/28/2016 4:22:00 PM | Women's Soccer

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By: Imani Suber

PHOENIX - In the Grand Canyon women's soccer home opener, the Lopes lost to UTEP 3-2 Sunday afternoon. While GCU scored a goal in the 84th minute to shave the deficit to 3-2, the Lopes couldn't close the gap in the final minutes of the match. Rachel Mina and Madison Cox led the offense with one goal apiece.

How it Happened:
In a hard fought contest that went down to the final minute, the Lopes showed grit and perseverance in their home opener but came just shy of claiming their first victory of the season.

All things were even in a competitive first half. Both teams collected five shots a piece and were neck-in-neck in shots on goal. After a balanced battle, the half ended in a 0-0 outcome.

The Miners took the early lead in the second half after picking up two goals from Bri Thomas as a result of an unassisted goal and a penalty kick. The Lopes rallied and answered the call when they were awarded a penalty kick less than a minute after the Miners second goal. While Milla Benedetti's penalty kick was no good, her teammate Mina regained control of the ball and fired it into the net for a Lopes goal. With the score improved to 2-1, UTEP's offense kept the pressure on and quickly responded three minutes later with their third goal of the day.

The Lopes didn't go quietly as they continued to push for another goal. With a late game rally, GCU's Cox blasted the ball into the net after a beautiful assist from Benedetti in the 84th minute to push the Lopes within one of tying. But, with just four minutes left in the contest GCU couldn't find the back of the net to send the game into overtime and fell to UTEP 3-2.

Lopes Notes:
The Lopes are now 0-4-0 on the season.
UTEP continues to lead the all-time series at 2-0-0.
Rachel Mina garnered her first goal of the season after producing two shots on goal.
Madison Cox posted her second goal of the season off a Milla Benedetti assist.
GCU now has three goals on the season.
The Lopes collected 10 shots on goal the best mark this season.

Up Next:
GCU continues its three game home stand this weekend as they host in-state Rival Northern Arizona on Friday, Sept. 2 at 7 p.m. MST. They will cap off the weekend against Northern Colorado, Sunday Sept. 4 at 7. Follow @GCU_WSOC for latest updates and news.