Seven Lopes score in win over Chicago State

Friday, October 13

Phoenix, Ariz.

7:00 p.m.

Grand Canyon

4-10-1, 1-2-0

Chicago State

1-15-0, 0-3-0

Chicago State

Grand Canyon

10/13/2017 9:28:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

GCU earns third shutout of the year

By: Sarah Woodward

PHOENIX, Ariz. – The Grand Canyon women's soccer offense came to play on Friday night under the lights at GCU Soccer Stadium, as the Lopes returned home to defeat Chicago State, 7-0, for its first conference victory. GCU advanced to 4-10-1 overall and 1-2 in the WAC, while the Cougars fell to 1-15-0 and 0-3-0 in the WAC. Tonight's shutout marks the third of the season for the Lopes.

Seven different Lopes netted a goal in today's team win, including a first career goal from senior Megan Anth and the first of the season for senior Deseree Doty.

Senior goalkeeper Abby Burton saw her first action of her final campaign for the Lopes, as she tallied one save in 45 minutes of play in goal.

"Many players were able to contribute in the game tonight and it was great to get back to scoring," head coach Derek Leader said.

"It was definitely a team effort."

As a whole, the Lopes outshot the Cougars 36-8 for a season-high shot count, while 13 of those attempts were on frame. Junior McKenzie Cook led the way with eight shots, while senior Madison Cox had six.

The Lopes got on the board in the eighth minute as freshman Amanda Lopez netted her second goal of the season to give GCU the 1-0 lead. Cook played the ball to Lopez to earn the assist.

Senior Milla Benedetti stopped and pulled back to beat two defenders in the 22nd minute before feeding Cox a pass in front of the goal. Cox one-touched the ball past the keeper for her fourth goal of the season and the second of the night. Cox leads the Lopes in goals on the year. Lopez was also awarded an assist.

Cook netted her third goal of the season in the 27^th minute after controlling an assist from senior Kelsey Smith with her left foot and placing the ball in the top right corner for GCU's third goal.

Benedetti came through with a score of her own less than a minute later as she dribbled through the Cougars' defense and put the ball in the bottom right corner of the goal to give GCU a 4-0 lead heading into halftime.

The Lopes outshot CSU 20-3 in the first with eight shots on frame.

Grand Canyon came back the same offensive threat as the first half, as Anth beat the back defender on a breakaway in the 63rd minute and slotted the ball behind the goalkeeper for her first career goal and the fifth of the night. Cook was awarded with the assist.

Sophomore Anyssa De Vera scored her second goal of the season unassisted in the 67th minute, as she stole the ball and dribbled to five feet from the goal line before putting the ball in the back of the net to give the Lopes a 6-0 lead.

Doty scored her first goal of the season and the final goal of the night after a cross assist from freshman Sandra Hill to give the Lopes the 7-0 lead in the 88th minute.

The Lopes return to the pitch on Sunday, as GCU hosts Kansas City for another WAC matchup at GCU Soccer Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. (MST).