Prokop scores in 1-1 road draw

Thursday, October 19

Abilene, Texas

5 p.m.

Grand Canyon

10-4-4, 4-1-3

Abilene Christian

7-8-2, 2-5-1

Grand Canyon

Abilene Christian

Photo by: Jack Gilday

10/19/2023 7:34:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Lopes attempt 19 shots but unable to find late go-ahead goal

By: Jerob Moon

ABILENE, Texas – The Grand Canyon women's soccer team kicked off the final regular-season road trip with a 1-1 draw Thursdsay night at Abilene Christian.

It was a crucial game for the Lopes (10-4-4, 4-1-3 WAC) in terms of seeding for the upcoming WAC Tournament. With the draw, GCU earned a point and now sits at 15 points, three behind California Baptist for second place with one game left.

The Lopes had grown accustomed to an early lead, scoring first in their last four games. On Thursday night, it was the Wildcats (7-8-2, 2-5-1 WAC) who took a 1-0 lead in the 15th minute off a corner kick. GCU was unable to clear the ball after the initial cross into the box with the loose ball finding ACU's Chayse Thorn, who fired a shot into the top left corner.

That lead would not last long as GCU found the equalizer just four minutes later. Off a free kick, Lopes sophomore midfielder AJ Loera sent a ball into the penalty box and this time the Wildcats failed to clear the scoring threat. That gave time for senior forward Lindsey Prokop to fire a shot that hit the underside of the crossbar and caromed into the goal.

For Prokop, it was her fourth goal in the last six matches as she remains hot down the final stretch of the regular season.

The Lopes maintained possession for most of the remaining 30 minutes of the first half, outshooting the Wildcats 11-2. For the match, GCU held a 19-5 advantage in shots, but ACU was effective when given the scoring chances with all five of its shots being on target.

Those five shots kept GCU junior goalkeeper DeAira Jackson busy as she collected four saves. Her most impressive save came in the 49th minute when the Fontana, California, native had to reach out full extension and tip a shot over the crossbar.

The impressive save by Jackson kept the match tied heading into the final minutes. The Lopes had their best scoring chance with just three minutes left. Senior forward Gianna Gourley headed a ball that hit the outside of the right post and the follow-up shot from Loera clanged off the crossbar.

Gourley led the Lopes with nine shots but only had one on target while Prokop and sophomore midfielder Leah Pirro each had a pair of shots on goal.

The Lopes will face Tarleton State in the regular-season finale on Sunday. Kickoff will take place at 11 a.m. (Phoenix time).