Inafuku scores twice in Lopes win

Friday, October 12

Chicago, Ill.

11 a.m.

Grand Canyon

5-11, 2-2WAC

Chicago State

0-13-1, 0-5WAC

Grand Canyon

Chicago State

10/12/2018 1:08:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Seniors power GCU on the road

By: Sarah Woodward

CHICAGO – Following a slow first half in Chicago, the Grand Canyon women's soccer team turned on the offense en route to a 3-0 victory Friday at Chicago State with two goals from senior Sarah Inafuku and a goal from senior McKenzie Cook.

"It was a slow start for us, but by the second half we really played well," GCU head coach Derek Leader said. "Chicago State was an extremely physical team and caused us a few injuries that we will have to evaluate tomorrow.

"It was good to see us get the three goals and start playing soccer in the second half and come out with the win."

GCU (5-11, 2-2 WAC) and Chicago State (0-13-1, 0-5 WAC) were slow to start in the first 45 minutes on a cold, rainy pitch at Ray and Joan Kroc Stadium.

After the break, Inafuku put the Lopes on the board in the 57th minute with her second career goal, assisted by sophomore defender Mikaela McGee. The assist was the second for McGee this season.

Inafuku came through again with her third goal of the season to put the Lopes ahead 2-0 in the 65th minute, when a Lopes shot deflected off the Chicago State goalkeeper and Inafuku beat her to the ball to shoot and score..

Cook gave the Lopes a third and final goal off an assist from Noah Johnson, marking the fifth goal for Cook this season.

The GCU backline, headed by senior goalkeeper Abby Burton, was strong as Burton tallied six saves in her third shutout of the season.

GCU continues its trip on Sunday at Kansas City in a 1 p.m. match on the pitch.