Lopes blow out Central Arkansas 5-0

Sunday, August 22

Phoenix, Ariz.

11 a.m.

Grand Canyon

2-0-0, 0-0-0

Central Arkansas

0-2-0, 0-1-0

Central Ark.

Grand Canyon

8/22/2021 2:18:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Photo Gallery

Edwards sets GCU career minutes record, scores in home win

By: Jerob Moon

The Grand Canyon women's soccer team wrapped up the opening weekend of the regular season with a convincing 5-0 shutout over Central Arkansas at GCU Stadium on Sunday.

The Lopes (2-0) dominated the game in all facets, outshooting the Bears 34-9 while opening the season with two consecutive shutouts for the first time in program history.

"Super proud of the team what a great way to start the season," Lopes head coach Chris Cissell said. "It's unbelievable we get to play two games at home in our beautiful stadium and then to win 3-0 on Thursday night with a really good side (Southeastern Louisiana) and then to follow that up today with a convincing 5-0 win. I don't think I could be more proud of our soccer family and where we are right now. What a great start."

Along with the shutout for the Lopes, fifth-year defender Hannah Edwards became GCU's all-time leader in minutes played in the 37th minute, passing Kelsey Smith and Janelle Salazar with 6,576 minutes played.

"Today was really awesome," Edwards said. "I actually didn't think much about the record, but my team is everything to me and they make me feel very special. Honestly, it wouldn't mean anything if I didn't have those girls by my side. That's why I'm back, taking my fifth year so I can keep playing the sport I love."

GCU has scored eight goals in the first two games from seven players, while nine Lopes tallying an assist.

The Lopes opened the scorebook less than five minutes into the game, when graduate transfer Mina Ghazizadeh struck a ball 30 yards out into the top left corner for her first GCU goal.

It was the first of three goals the Lopes would score in the half, as Edwards followed by scoring off a corner kick from senior Perri Belzer in the 31st minute and sophomore Brenna Alderson scored off a left-footed shot nine minutes later. GCU outshot Central Arkansas 15-4 in the half.

It was more of the same offensively for GCU in the second half, when the Lopes added two more goals. Sophomore midfielder Reese Mendenhall scored her first collegiate goal in the 52nd minute on a back-heel flick. It came from an assist by Edwards after Mendenhall's first shot off a GCU corner was blocked. Junior Dani Babb followed up her goal in the opening game on Thursday with another right-footed goal in the 83rd minute on Sunday.

"Phenomenal on the offensive end that we have created this many scoring opportunities with eight goals in two games," Cissell added. "I'm just as proud of the fact that we have been able to shut out two really good teams."

Goalkeeper Jordan Ferguson logged 86 minutes in her second straight shutout. The GCU defense locked down the Bears, holding them to nine shots with three on goal.

The Lopes will now prepare for the first road trip of the season against Incarnate Word and USTA in San Antonio, Texas, on Friday and Saturday.