Schimmer's golden goal stuns Seattle U

Sunday, October 3

Phoenix, Ariz.

7 p.m.

Grand Canyon

10-2-1, 3-0-1

Seattle U

6-5-1, 0-3-0

Seattle U

Grand Canyon

10/3/2021 10:29:00 PM | Women's Soccer

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Lopes continue dream season with dramatic win

By: Jerob Moon

The Grand Canyon women's soccer team defeated Seattle U at GCU Stadium in a 1-0 overtime thriller Sunday night on senior forward Marleen Schimmer's golden goal.

Schimmer's heroics was just the next chapter of what has been a dream season for GCU (10-2-1, 3-0-1 WAC), which reached double-digit wins for the first time since 2010. The Lopes remain unbeaten in WAC play and sit atop the West Division standings with 10 points. It was GCU's first win against the Redhawks (6-5-1, 0-3-0 WAC) at GCU Stadium and it came in the most dramatic fashion.

"Wow, I'm super excited and proud of our soccer family," Lopes head coach Chris Cissell said. "That was a great battle against a phenomenal soccer program in Seattle. We have the utmost respect for them in what they have accomplished and to beat them in overtime was a great feeling for our soccer family and where we're headed."

In overtime, the GCU defense withstood two corner kicks and shots by Seattle U in the first three minutes before breaking out on a counterattack.

The winning play was started by a goal kick from sophomore Jordan Ferguson, which was flicked on at midfield by fifth-year forward Camryn Larson and sophomore midfielder Brenna Alderson. The ball then found junior forward Gianna Gourley, who raced down the right side and crossed the ball in front of goal.

Originally meant for Alderson, the cross skipped by and found Schimmer outside the back post. The Mainz, Germany, native gathered and took one step before firing a right-footed rocket to the back of the net.

Schimmer's stellar weekend was complete with four goals in two games after a hat trick against California Baptist inside the first 15 minutes of Friday's 6-1 win. Schimmer now leads the Lopes and the WAC with eight goals and 22 points.

The Lopes and Redhawks played almost even in regulation with Seattle just edging GCU in shots 12-11, including a 7-1 advantage in corner kicks.

GCU had good scoring chances in regulation. In the 35th minute, Schimmer tried a long-distance shot that was saved but the rebound was nearly tapped in by Larson. Later in the 63rd minute, it was Larson just pushing a header over the crossbar off a corner kick.

Along with the good offensive chances, the GCU defense was even better as Ferguson recorded her fifth shutout of the season. Ferguson made four saves and was supported by stellar play from the Lopes back line, which consisted of graduate Mina Ghazizadeh, junior Tyler Ferguson, fifth-year Hannah Edwards and junior Raquel Hagar for most of the game.

The Lopes will carry the top record in the WAC into an important finale to the homestand. GCU will face second-place New Mexico State (7-6-0, 3-1-0 WAC) on Saturday at GCU Stadium.