WAC's 2nd half starts at Seattle U, CBU

Friday, October 15

Seattle, Wash.

7 p.m.

Grand Canyon

Seattle U

10/14/2021 12:53:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Lopes aim to stay atop West Division, extend 4-game winning streak

By: Jerob Moon


Grand Canyon Lopes (11-2-1, 4-0-1 WAC)	vs	Seattle U Redhawks (6-5-3, 0-3-2 WAC)	California Baptist Lancers (5-6-1, 3-2-0 WAC)
		Friday, Oct. 15 7 p.m.	Sunday, Oct. 17 Noon
Match Notes		Live Video Live Stats	Live Stats

The Grand Canyon women's soccer team will hit the road this weekend to begin the back half of the WAC season. The Lopes remain unbeaten in conference play through the first five games and are in first place of the West Division with 13 points. GCU defeated California Baptist 6-1 on Oct. 1 and Seattle U 1-0 on Oct. 3 in overtime at GCU Stadium.

THREE THINGS TO KNOW

SIZZLING OFFENSE: The Lopes have been an offensive juggernaut this season but kicked it into high gear with 18 goals in the last four games. GCU has set a new single-season program record with 41 goals and 120 points with at least five matches still to play. Nationally, the Lopes rank fifth in goals (41), seventh in points (120) and 11th in assists (38).
SCHIMMER STANDS OUT: The offensive showcase for GCU is led by senior forward Marleen Schimmer. A weekend after scoring four goals against CBU and Seattle U, Schimmer became a facilitator recording three assists in a 6-0 win against New Mexico State on Oct. 9. The Mainz, Germany, native is tied for the WAC lead in goals at eight with teammate Gianna Gourley, while leading in assists (nine) and points (25). She also set GCU single-season records with her point and assist totals.
PACIFIC REGION POLL JUMP: On Sept. 28, the Lopes made their debut in the United Soccer Coaches' Pacific Region poll, coming in at No. 10. GCU has seen nothing but improvement since then, jumping up to No. 9 last week and No. 7 in the most recent poll. The Lopes are ranked ahead of New Mexico, California and Utah State.

SCOUTING

Seattle U finds itself without a conference win at the halfway mark of WAC play. After suffering three straight road defeats to start WAC play, including a 1-0 loss to GCU in overtime, the Redhawks recorded back-to-back ties against Dixie State and Utah Valley at home.

Senior forward Sydney Carr is tied for the team lead with eight points while scoring three goals with two assists. Graduate student Leahi Manthei leads Seattle U with four goals. Defensively, goalkeeper Jessica Berlin ranks second in the WAC with a 0.91 goals against average while allowing only three goals in conference matches.

California Baptist started conference play with a 1-0 win over Seattle U before stumbling with losses at New Mexico State and GCU. Since then, the Lancers have regrouped and defeated Utah Valley 1-0 and Dixie State 2-1 at home.

Freshman forward Malia Cerdon is the only Lancer with more than one goal this season, leading the team with three. Six other players have scored a goal for CBU while sophomore midfielder Madison Sonerholm leads the team with two assists. Goalkeeper Romy Salvador ranks third in the WAC with a 1.07 goals against average and has recorded four shutouts.