Lopes draw 1-1 at UCSB

Friday, September 13

Santa Barbara, Calif.

7 p.m.

Grand Canyon

1-5-1, 0-0-0

UC Santa Barbara

1-1-3, 0-0-0

Grand Canyon

UC Santa Barbara

Photo by: [Billy Hardiman Photography]

9/13/2019 9:36:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Roberts scores early; Defense holds tight at end

By: Jerob Moon

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.—The Grand Canyon women's soccer team played in its second straight double-overtime match, ultimately finishing this one with a 1-1 draw at UC Santa Barbara on Friday night.

The Lopes (1-5-1) jumped ahead early thanks to freshman forward Sophia Roberts scoring her first career goal in the seventh minute off a great assist from fellow freshman Ellie Busik. Busik dribbled past two Gaucho defenders and found Roberts behind the back line in the penalty box and Roberts tucked the ball low past the goalkeeper.

After that goal, the GCU back line and freshman goalie Lauren Garthwaite were busy the rest of the night. UC Santa Barbara (1-1-3) frequently held possession in the final third of the field and finished with 20 shots and 11 corner kicks, compared to GCU's five shots and two corners. The Gauchos broke through in the 77th minute with a goal by Shaelan Murison to knot the game up at 1-1.

The Lopes were only able to muster one shot in the two extra periods. Redshirt freshman forwardJaycee Iranshad got a shot on goal in the top left corner but the ball was saved by the Gauchos.

GCU defenders Hannah Edwards and Tyler Ferguson each played over 100 minutes while junior Sandra Hill came off the bench and logged 95 minutes. Garthwaite also played well, finishing the game with seven saves to rank third in the WAC with 35 saves on the season.

After a pair of double-overtime matches, the Lopes will have to quickly recover for a home match on Sunday night against North Dakota (5-1-1). The match will begin at 7 p.m. (Phoenix time) at GCU Stadium.