GCU plays Arizona to exhibition draw

Sunday, August 15

Phoenix, Ariz.

7 p.m.

Grand Canyon

Arizona

Photo by: Garrett Ohrenberg

8/15/2021 10:28:00 PM | Women's Soccer

27 Lopes see action in 0-0 tie against Pac-12 visitor

By: Jerob Moon

The Grand Canyon women's soccer team battled Pac-12 foe Arizona to a 0-0 draw in the team's lone exhibition Sunday night at GCU.

The Lopes and Wildcats were originally scheduled to play on Saturday night, but rain made Mulcahy Soccer Stadium in Tucson unplayable and the game was quickly moved to GCU's practice field.

"I was really proud of the girls," Lopes head coach Chris Cissell said. "I thought we played really well and competed hard while playing against a really good Arizona team in our first exhibition. I thought we started off a little shaky. We had that first-game jitters. But then we settled into the game and I thought the second 30-minute period we looked phenomenal. I would say it was a very even match and a draw was a just result."

All 27 active players for the Lopes saw action in three 30-minute periods. GCU started 10 returners, including All-WAC Freshmen honoree goalkeeper Jordan Ferguson, who made a game-high five saves.

The Lopes had their best scoring opportunity in the second period, when redshirt junior Dani Babb took a right-footed shot in the box, in the 32nd minute. It hit the underside of the crossbar and nearly crossed the goal line.

Likewise on the other end, Arizona had a good scoring chance in the 52nd off a corner kick, but GCU goalkeeper Kayla King battled through the mass of players to grab the loose ball in front of the goal.

"This was awesome," Cissell said. "We needed to get this exhibition under our belts and play against somebody else. We're tired of intrasquad scrimmages and playing against ourselves because everybody knows the same tactics and tendencies. Tonight was good to see what worked tactically and what needs to be improved, and we can't wait carry all this information and energy over into Thursday's opener."

The Lopes now turn their attention to the regular-season opener against Southeastern Louisiana at 7 p.m. Thursday in GCU Stadium. It will be the first fall regular-season home opener for the Lopes since 2015.