Completed Event: Women's Soccer versus Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) on February 14, 2026 ,
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vs Embry-Riddle (Ariz.)
Grand Canyon University Athletics
WAC champs return hungry for more
8/17/2022 4:30:00 PM | Women's Soccer, Paul Coro
Lopes offense stays loaded, defense retools with title repeat expectations
It was not that long ago when the WAC should have felt a fear of the unknown.
The conference did not know a power was burgeoning when GCU head coach Chris Cissell took over a program that finished 284th in the 2019 NCAA Ratings Percentage Index. The Lopes ended last season at No. 40.
Even after a turnaround midway through his first GCU season, the WAC did not quite realize what the Lopes had built when they were picked to finish third in their WAC division and had one player receive preseason recognition last year. Now, GCU is the defending conference champion and the WAC favorite while taking five of Preseason All-WAC spots.
The secret is out entering Cissell's third Lopes season, which begins Thursday night against Hawaii at GCU Stadium.
"We're going to get every team's best game," Cissell said. "We have to make sure we rise to that challenge. We should embrace it and be proud that we've worked hard to get to the stage that people think of our program that way. We expected to be there, and we expect to stay there."
A wonderful way to start toward that goal is returning much of the firepower that made GCU the eighth-highest scoring team (2.73 goals per game) in the nation last season. Seven of last season's 13 goal scorers return from GCU's breakthrough 16-4-2 season.
GCU lost WAC Player of the Year Marleen Schimmer as the National Women's Soccer League's No. 9 pick, but its front force remains strong with Gianna Gourley and Lindsey Prokop. Each junior forward scored five game-winning goals last season and the duo's season total was 18 goals, as much or more than 93 entire teams managed.
Gourley, the WAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year after rounding into form last season, and Prokop, who remains on a hot streak from being WAC Tournament Most Valuable Player, were joined on Preseason All-WAC by sophomores Brenna Alderson, Reese Mendenhall and Jordan Ferguson.
"Once we learn how to jell together, I think we're going to be just as big of a threat as last year," Gourley said. "We still have girls who are very special in different areas of the game. It's going to flow very well. I don't think people really know what we have. You have the five girls who were honored, but we have maybe five more girls who are just as good."
For the past season and a half, GCU only has lost five of 30 games with an aggressive possession style that will continue with great depth in the neutral and attacking thirds.
The Lopes' offensive reputation is based largely on returning Gourley and Prokop, but junior Jaycee Iranshad was last season's leading scorer before a torn anterior cruciate ligament and Renee Sainz returns from WAC All-Freshman honors. In 25 games under Cissell, Iranshad has tallied 12 goals and was the lone scorer in an exhibition win against UC San Diego.
Leah Pirro, who redshirted last season, and Bekah Valdez transferred from San Diego to make for a more dynamic Lope attack.
"Offensively, we could be really exciting again," Cissell said. "When we play 11 v. 11, it's 22 great players out there competing like crazy."
With mostly new players, the coaching staff has the help of player leadership that is headed by Mendenhall. The team captain showed her team-oriented approach in embracing a position switch from being a two-year attacking midfielder to an attacking right back.
"It's such a blessing and an honor because this group of girls is like my family," Mendenhall said. "These are 100% my sisters. In this role, I just want everyone to feel they are so important on this team. It's so important to me that we are so connected off the field because ultimately that translates to on the field."
After recording seven shutouts last season, the defensive side gets the largest makeover but has Ferguson returning at goalkeeper for her third starting season. The Phoenix Desert Vista High School product ranked 20th nationally for minutes played last season but was overlooked in postseason honors on a team that allowed 1.09 goals per game.
GCU addressed the back line with a pair of Power 5 transfers – sophomores Aleisha Ganief (Iowa) and Sidney Roberts (Utah) – while sophomore Destinee Duran-Wise is primed for a larger role.
The newcomers are learning a more nuanced style but have melded well to raise the talent level and help meet returnees' higher expectations.
"Winning the WAC is the standard – regular season and the tournament – and making it to the NCAA tournament," said Mendenhall, who is from Phoenix. "We got a taste of that last year, so our goal going forward is, 'Can we advance past that first round and see how far we can go?' "
The culture Cissell created with returning assistant Ben Parman remains with the help of new staffers –assistant coach Casey Tate, volunteer assistant Hannah Bolton and athletic trainer Lauren Frost.
Opening week starts with the 7 p.m. Thursday home game against Hawaii and continues with a 7 p.m. Sunday home game against Summit League champion South Dakota State.
"I feel good about myself and the team," Gourley said. "I'm ready to powerhouse, for sure."
The conference did not know a power was burgeoning when GCU head coach Chris Cissell took over a program that finished 284th in the 2019 NCAA Ratings Percentage Index. The Lopes ended last season at No. 40.Even after a turnaround midway through his first GCU season, the WAC did not quite realize what the Lopes had built when they were picked to finish third in their WAC division and had one player receive preseason recognition last year. Now, GCU is the defending conference champion and the WAC favorite while taking five of Preseason All-WAC spots.
The secret is out entering Cissell's third Lopes season, which begins Thursday night against Hawaii at GCU Stadium.
"We're going to get every team's best game," Cissell said. "We have to make sure we rise to that challenge. We should embrace it and be proud that we've worked hard to get to the stage that people think of our program that way. We expected to be there, and we expect to stay there."
A wonderful way to start toward that goal is returning much of the firepower that made GCU the eighth-highest scoring team (2.73 goals per game) in the nation last season. Seven of last season's 13 goal scorers return from GCU's breakthrough 16-4-2 season.
GCU lost WAC Player of the Year Marleen Schimmer as the National Women's Soccer League's No. 9 pick, but its front force remains strong with Gianna Gourley and Lindsey Prokop. Each junior forward scored five game-winning goals last season and the duo's season total was 18 goals, as much or more than 93 entire teams managed.Gourley, the WAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year after rounding into form last season, and Prokop, who remains on a hot streak from being WAC Tournament Most Valuable Player, were joined on Preseason All-WAC by sophomores Brenna Alderson, Reese Mendenhall and Jordan Ferguson.
"Once we learn how to jell together, I think we're going to be just as big of a threat as last year," Gourley said. "We still have girls who are very special in different areas of the game. It's going to flow very well. I don't think people really know what we have. You have the five girls who were honored, but we have maybe five more girls who are just as good."
For the past season and a half, GCU only has lost five of 30 games with an aggressive possession style that will continue with great depth in the neutral and attacking thirds.
The Lopes' offensive reputation is based largely on returning Gourley and Prokop, but junior Jaycee Iranshad was last season's leading scorer before a torn anterior cruciate ligament and Renee Sainz returns from WAC All-Freshman honors. In 25 games under Cissell, Iranshad has tallied 12 goals and was the lone scorer in an exhibition win against UC San Diego.
Leah Pirro, who redshirted last season, and Bekah Valdez transferred from San Diego to make for a more dynamic Lope attack.
"Offensively, we could be really exciting again," Cissell said. "When we play 11 v. 11, it's 22 great players out there competing like crazy."
With mostly new players, the coaching staff has the help of player leadership that is headed by Mendenhall. The team captain showed her team-oriented approach in embracing a position switch from being a two-year attacking midfielder to an attacking right back.
"It's such a blessing and an honor because this group of girls is like my family," Mendenhall said. "These are 100% my sisters. In this role, I just want everyone to feel they are so important on this team. It's so important to me that we are so connected off the field because ultimately that translates to on the field."
After recording seven shutouts last season, the defensive side gets the largest makeover but has Ferguson returning at goalkeeper for her third starting season. The Phoenix Desert Vista High School product ranked 20th nationally for minutes played last season but was overlooked in postseason honors on a team that allowed 1.09 goals per game.GCU addressed the back line with a pair of Power 5 transfers – sophomores Aleisha Ganief (Iowa) and Sidney Roberts (Utah) – while sophomore Destinee Duran-Wise is primed for a larger role.
The newcomers are learning a more nuanced style but have melded well to raise the talent level and help meet returnees' higher expectations.
"Winning the WAC is the standard – regular season and the tournament – and making it to the NCAA tournament," said Mendenhall, who is from Phoenix. "We got a taste of that last year, so our goal going forward is, 'Can we advance past that first round and see how far we can go?' "
The culture Cissell created with returning assistant Ben Parman remains with the help of new staffers –assistant coach Casey Tate, volunteer assistant Hannah Bolton and athletic trainer Lauren Frost.
Opening week starts with the 7 p.m. Thursday home game against Hawaii and continues with a 7 p.m. Sunday home game against Summit League champion South Dakota State.
"I feel good about myself and the team," Gourley said. "I'm ready to powerhouse, for sure."
A new season begins tomorrow at 7 p.m. in GCU Stadium with the same high expectations #LopesUphttps://t.co/2LKpctAusT
— GCU Women's Soccer (@GCU_WSoccer) August 18, 2022
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/ Women's SoccerSenior Reflections
Wednesday, April 15
Baptized at GCU
Tuesday, April 14
Singles off BOTH bags. ONE inning. 🤯 #baseball
Sunday, April 12
HOMER from the DRONE 🥎 #collegesoftball
Saturday, April 11