Season ends with semifinal loss to Seattle U

Thursday, April 15

Phoenix, Ariz.

7 p.m.

Grand Canyon

8-9-1, 7-4-1

Seattle U

12-4-2, 10-2-2

Seattle U

Grand Canyon

4/15/2021 10:26:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Photo Gallery

Bostard, Alderson score in close tournament defeat

By: Jerob Moon

The No. 3 seed Grand Canyon women's soccer team lost 3-2 to No. 2 seed Seattle U in the WAC Tournament semifinals at GCU Stadium on Thursday night.

The Lopes (8-9-1) and Redhawks (12-4-2) combined for three goals in five minutes in the first half and GCU made it a one-goal game with just under 10 minutes to go but were unable to find an equalizer.

GCU was reduced to a thin roster on Thursday because of COVID-19 protocols and the team held the conference's top scoring offense to just four shots through the first 30 minutes. That changed in the 32nd minute, as the Redhawks were able to break through on an unassisted goal by Ava Benedetti.

The 1-0 Seattle U lead didn't last long as the Lopes tied it up with a goal by senior Haley Bostard in the 35th minute. Defender Tyler Ferguson delivered a free kick into the box and the ball was flicked into the back of the net by Bostard's header for her third goal of the season.

Just over two minutes later, Seattle U regained the lead when Kacey LaBoda scored on a header off a free kick just outside the GCU penalty box to put the Lopes down 2-1 at halftime.

Less than four minutes into the second half, the Lopes made a mistake on a pass back to goalkeeper Jordan Ferguson and it was intercepted by Benedetti, who quickly found WAC Freshman of the Year Hallie Bergford in front of the goal for her first goal of the season.

Despite the 3-1 deficit, the Lopes did not stop attacking and outshot the Redhawks 10-6 in the second half.

The Lopes broke through in the 81st minutes, when freshman Brenna Aldreson tipped the ball over Seattle U's goalkeeper and into the net after the play was built up from passes by fellow freshman Reese Mendenhall and Bostard.

GCU forward Marleen Schimmer, who led the team with five shots, attempted the final shot for the Lopes in the 89th minute, but time ran out on the Lopes in their attempt to find an equalizer and their seven-game unbeaten streak was snapped.

The Lopes will look to build on a successful season over the summer to prepare for the upcoming season in the fall. Jaycee Iranshad and Jones were named to the WAC All-Tournament team after leading the tournament in scoring with two goals and five points each.