Omaha blanks GCU; WAC play next

Friday, September 27

Omaha, Neb.

3:30 p.m.

Grand Canyon

1-8-1, 0-0-0

Omaha

3-6-1, 0-0-0

Grand Canyon

Omaha

9/27/2019 5:51:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Conference action starts on the road for Lopes

By: Jerob Moon

OMAHA, Neb. — The Grand Canyon women's soccer team wrapped up nonconference play with a 1-0 loss Friday at Omaha.

For the second straight game, the Lopes (1-8-1) allowed a goal in the 44th minute. This time, an Omaha free kick led to a scramble for the loose ball in front of the box. The ball deflected off the GCU goalkeeper and found the right foot of Omaha's Laurin Mertz, who tucked the ball into the back of the net.

GCU's best scoring chance of the night came in the 88th minute when Lopes junior defender Hannah Edwards broke away on the counter attack and was one on one with the Omaha goalie. A remarkable save from Omaha's Erin Bunker outside the 6-yard box kept the Lopes off the board.

Omaha (3-6-1) outshot GCU 9-4 in the first half with the Lopes only generating one shot on goal. GCU rebounded and came out strong in the second half, taking three shots early and outshooting the Mavericks 11-6 for the half. The difference in the game was the shots on goal, where Omaha edged GCU 6-4.

Lopes freshman goalkeeper Lauren Garthwaite made four more saves, bringing her season total to 48.

Midfielder Jaycee Iranshad led the way offensively for GCU with five shots and one on goal. Edwards made herself known on the offensive end with two of her three shots on goal, both season highs.

Sophomore Perri Belzer made her first start this season on the GCU backline and logged 33 minutes, while redshirt freshman forward Dani Babb came off the bench and played 58 minutes. Freshman Ciara Bianchi played a career-high 45 minutes and was actively involved in the GCU offensive attack for most of the second half.

The Lopes will begin WAC play on the road next week, traveling to New Mexico State on Oct. 4 and then to UT Rio Grande Valley on Oct. 6.