Lopes shutout Wolfpack following lightning delay

Friday, September 1

Flagstaff, Ariz.

4:00 p.m.

Grand Canyon

Nevada

9/1/2017 6:38:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Benedetti, Cook score first goals of season unassissted

By: Sarah Woodward

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The pair of Milla Benedetti and McKenzie Cook got to work after an early lightning delay, as the forwards each scored their first goal of the season. The Grand Canyon women's soccer team earned its first shutout of 2017, as the Lopes defeated Nevada, 2-0, on Friday night at Max Spilsbury Field.

GCU advanced to 2-3 on the year with its second-straight victory, while Nevada fell to 1-3. The Lopes outshot the Wolfpack, 16-10, with nine attempts on frame.

Benedetti led the way with five shots and two on goal, while Cook was a perfect 4-for-4 on the night. Anyssa De Vera had three shots, two of them on goal, while Madison Cox, Mary Joy Carrieres, Erika Story and Megan Anth each had one.

GCU goalkeeper Blakely Fraasch tallied six saves on the night to earn her first shutout of the year.

For the first time this season, the Lopes enjoyed a 1-0 lead at the halfway mark. Benedetti's fourth shot of the night hit the back of the net from just outside the six-yard box in the 26th minute to give the Lopes a one-goal advantage over the Wolfpack. The unassisted goal was the first for the senior this year and the only goal of the first half.

The pair battled through the rest of the first period, as GCU outshot Nevada, 8-5, in the first 45 minutes. The Lopes were on frame in six attempts, while the Wolfpack shot on goal three times.

Forward McKenzie Cook was 2-for-2 in shots on frame in the first, while Benedetti was 2-for-4.

The Lopes struck again in the second half to seal the deal as Cook netted a goal from outside the 18-yard line in the 69th minute to give GCU a 2-0 lead. The unassisted goal was scored on Cook's fourth shot of the game as well.

GCU returns to Max Spilsbury Field on Sunday, Sept. 3 looking for a third-consecutive victory. The Lopes and Detroit Mercy kick off at 10:00 a.m. (MST).