Benedetti lifts Lopes over Detroit Mercy

Sunday, September 3

Flagstaff, Ariz.

10:00 a.m.

Grand Canyon

3-3-0

Detroit Mercy

2-3-1

Team	1	2	Final F
Grand Canyon	0	1	1
Detroit Mercy	0	0	0

9/3/2017 12:01:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Senior nets second goal of the weekend

By: Sarah Woodward

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Milla Benedetti netted her second goal of the weekend to give the Grand Canyon women's soccer team its third-straight win on Sunday morning at Max Spilsbury Field. The Lopes (3-3) defeated Detroit Mercy (2-3-1), 1-0, to close out the winning weekend.

"We're super pleased with the recent turn around in attacking production," head coach Derek Leader said. "We're not only doing a better job of possession of the ball but we're really starting to threaten on goal.

"We're getting ourselves into much better positions in front of the goal and we're able to make the most out of our chances. We always have room for improvement but we've also learned how to grind out a win."

The Lopes and the Titans battled through the first 45 minutes of play in Flagstaff, but neither team's offense could find the back of the net. The Lopes outshot Detroit Mercy, 7-3, in the first.

The game-winner was scored just after the break in the 49th minute, as the senior forward received a pass from junior McKenzie Cook and broke through the Titans' defense to give GCU a 1-0 advantage. The goal marks Benedetti's second of the season and the assist is the first for Cook.

Grand Canyon dominated the game offensively, as the Lopes outshot the Titans, 18-5, with seven shots on frame.

Benedetti led the way with six shots, three on frame, while the pair of Cook and Amanda Lopez had three apiece.

Six players in Kelsey Smith, Mary Joy Carrieres, Mikaela McGee, Sandra Hill, Emma Cain and Anyssa De Vera each added a shot as well.

Defense was also strong in today's morning matchup, as senior goalkeeper Blakely Fraasch only made three saves over the 90 minute game.

The Lopes return to the GCU Soccer Stadium on Thursday, September 7 to host UC Santa Barbara. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. and the Grand Canyon men's soccer team will play directly after at 7 p.m.