Lopes battle CBU in 2-2 draw

Thursday, April 1

Phoenix, Ariz.

7 p.m.

Grand Canyon

5-8-1, 5-4-1

California Baptist

10-2-3, 8-2-2

California Baptist

Grand Canyon

Photo by: Rylan Dressendorfer

4/1/2021 10:30:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Photo Gallery

Ferguson, Iranshad lead GCU offensively

By: Jerob Moon

The Grand Canyon women's soccer team battled to a 2-2 draw with California Baptist on Thursday night at GCU Stadium, where the teams will meet again Saturday.

The Lopes (5-8-1, 5-4-1 WAC) held 1-0 and 2-1 advantages against the WAC leaders, but CBU (10-2-3, 8-2-2 WAC) came back to tie with a goal in the 82nd minute to send it to a scoreless overtime.

"I was really proud of the team and our effort," GCU head coach Chris Cissell added. "I thought we battled and competed super hard for 110 minutes against a really good team. Disappointing to take a 1-0 lead and let them tie it, and then take a 2-1 lead and let them tie it, but they scored good goals. And I thought once it was tied, I felt like we were the team that had the better chances."

The 24 shots and two goals by the Lopes were season highs for a CBU opponent. The Lancers have been the best defensive team in the WAC, allowing only eight goals entering Thursday.

GCU got on the scoreboard first, right before halftime when sophomore defender Tyler Ferguson scored on a corner kick from Marleen Schimmer in the 41st minute. Ferguson's first career goal was a header that deflected off CBU goalkeeper Romy Salvador and into the back of the net. GCU locked down for the final nine minutes of the half, withstanding the Lancers' nine shots.

In the second half, CBU came out aggressive on offense and outshot GCU 7-5 in the period. In the 60th minute, Amy Aquino tied the game at 1-1 on a header into the left side of the goal off a corner kick.

Twelve minutes later, the Lopes regained the lead when GCU's leading scorer, Jaycee Iranshad, scored off an assist from Raeanne Jones. Forward Dani Babb raced down the right side of the field and crossed it into Jones, who had her initial shot blocked. Jones regained possession and passed it to Iranshad, who scored her seventh goal on a right-footed shot.

The Lopes defended well until the 82nd minute when CBU forward Ari Coronado hit a one-time shot from outside the penalty box that hit off the right post and past GCU goalkeeper Jordan Ferguson, who made eight saves on the night.

At 2-2 in overtime, the Lopes were the more aggressive team and outshot the Lancers 10-2 in the extra periods. In the 96th minute, Schimmer nearly ended the game on a free kick that hit off the underside of the crossbar. Ten minutes later in the second overtime, Iranshad had her shot saved and deflected off the post.

"Once it was tied, I felt like we were the team that had the better chances," Cissell added. "We hit the underside of the crossbar and the post twice. So I felt like we had really good chances to win it and I expect us to recover and be ready to battle it out again on Saturday. A tie at home is tough because we wanted to win but, at the same time, I can't fault the team's effort, work rate, desire, commitment and belief."

With the draw, CBU, Seattle U and Utah Valley are in a three-way tie at the top of the WAC standings at 26 points. The Lopes are tied for fourth with UT Rio Grande Valley at 16 points with two matches remaining in the regular season.

The close conference standings make for an entertaining regular-season home finale for GCU. The Lopes will honor six seniors on Senior Day before playing CBU again at 2 p.m. Saturday in GCU Stadium.