Completed Event: Women's Soccer versus Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) on February 14, 2026 ,
W Soccer
vs Embry-Riddle (Ariz.)
Grand Canyon University Athletics
Photo by: Garrett Ohrenberg
Lopes shut out Wolverines for 1st win
2/20/2021 4:28:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Schimmer scores penalty; GCU defense holds 10-player Wolverines
The Grand Canyon women's soccer team picked up its first win of the season on Saturday with a 1-0 win against conference opponent Utah Valley on Saturday at GCU Stadium.
Â
GCU junior forward Marleen Schimmer converted a penalty kick in the 13th minute after the starting Utah Valley goalkeeper was sent off with two straight yellow cards. The defense of the Lopes (1-5, 1-1- WAC) would buckle down against the Wolverines (2-2-1, 1-1 WAC), who were down to 10 players on the field for the remainder of the game.
Â
"This win feels great, we've been working so hard for it," head coach Chris Cissell said after picking up his first win at GCU. "It came a little bit later than we hoped or expected but, at the same time, to get a win against such a good team with such a good coaching staff feels good. I feel like after how the game went Thursday, losing 1-0, playing those back-to-back games 36 hours later against the same opponent is tough. We felt like we made some really good adjustments, and it was a gritty performance by everyone."
Â
The Lopes came out of the gates with a more offensive minded game plan and were able to draw a shot and corner in the first five minutes. As a team, GCU recorded a season-high 18 shots and seven shots on goal.
Â
In the 13th minutes, Schimmer found midfielder Jaycee Iranshad with a through ball that led to a one-on-one with Utah Valley's goalie Isabel Jones-Dawe. The two players collided in the penalty box, leading to a penalty kick for GCU and a yellow card for Jones-Dawe, who earned a second yellow card with continued complaints to the referee.
Â
With the two straight yellow cards, Jones-Dawe was ejected from the game, and Utah Valley subbed in its backup goalkeeper and took off forward Julianna Carter, leaving 10 players. Schimmer took the penalty kick and slotted it in the left side of the goal for her first points in a GCU uniform after scoring 27 points for Arizona State the past two seasons.
Â
"It doesn't get any easier than a penalty kick," Schimmer added. "I feel like I needed it because I was struggling a little bit, but what counts is the win as a team. I felt like we needed that to click as a team and get that winning mentality."
Â
On the other side of the pitch, GCU goalkeeper Hayden Wallace recorded her first win and shutout in her collegiate career. She finished with seven saves on 17 shots by Utah Valley. The GCU defense was busy with the Wolverines continuing to attack despite being down a man.
Â
"That first win felt indescribable," Wallace said. "We've been working so hard and finally we got that win. It wasn't pretty and it doesn't always have to be pretty, but we got that first win today. We've been getting peppered every game so far and we've done a good job of keeping of heads on straight and doing everything we can to keep the ball out of the net."
Â
The Lopes will hit the road for the first time in conference play, facing WAC newcomer Dixie State on Feb. 25 and 27. Â
Â
Â
GCU junior forward Marleen Schimmer converted a penalty kick in the 13th minute after the starting Utah Valley goalkeeper was sent off with two straight yellow cards. The defense of the Lopes (1-5, 1-1- WAC) would buckle down against the Wolverines (2-2-1, 1-1 WAC), who were down to 10 players on the field for the remainder of the game.
Â
"This win feels great, we've been working so hard for it," head coach Chris Cissell said after picking up his first win at GCU. "It came a little bit later than we hoped or expected but, at the same time, to get a win against such a good team with such a good coaching staff feels good. I feel like after how the game went Thursday, losing 1-0, playing those back-to-back games 36 hours later against the same opponent is tough. We felt like we made some really good adjustments, and it was a gritty performance by everyone."
Â
The Lopes came out of the gates with a more offensive minded game plan and were able to draw a shot and corner in the first five minutes. As a team, GCU recorded a season-high 18 shots and seven shots on goal.
Â
In the 13th minutes, Schimmer found midfielder Jaycee Iranshad with a through ball that led to a one-on-one with Utah Valley's goalie Isabel Jones-Dawe. The two players collided in the penalty box, leading to a penalty kick for GCU and a yellow card for Jones-Dawe, who earned a second yellow card with continued complaints to the referee.
Â
With the two straight yellow cards, Jones-Dawe was ejected from the game, and Utah Valley subbed in its backup goalkeeper and took off forward Julianna Carter, leaving 10 players. Schimmer took the penalty kick and slotted it in the left side of the goal for her first points in a GCU uniform after scoring 27 points for Arizona State the past two seasons.
Â
"It doesn't get any easier than a penalty kick," Schimmer added. "I feel like I needed it because I was struggling a little bit, but what counts is the win as a team. I felt like we needed that to click as a team and get that winning mentality."
Â
On the other side of the pitch, GCU goalkeeper Hayden Wallace recorded her first win and shutout in her collegiate career. She finished with seven saves on 17 shots by Utah Valley. The GCU defense was busy with the Wolverines continuing to attack despite being down a man.
Â
"That first win felt indescribable," Wallace said. "We've been working so hard and finally we got that win. It wasn't pretty and it doesn't always have to be pretty, but we got that first win today. We've been getting peppered every game so far and we've done a good job of keeping of heads on straight and doing everything we can to keep the ball out of the net."
Â
The Lopes will hit the road for the first time in conference play, facing WAC newcomer Dixie State on Feb. 25 and 27. Â
Â
Players Mentioned
M/F
/ Women's Soccer
M/F
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's Soccer🎧 #HEADPHONECHALLENGE GCU #Track & Field
Friday, April 24
GCU #beachvolleyball advances!
Thursday, April 23
#grwm: GCU Softball's Sydney McCray #softball
Thursday, April 23
Senior Reflections
Wednesday, April 15