Final homestand begins with 1-1 draw

Saturday, October 7

Phoenix, Ariz.

7 p.m.

Grand Canyon

8-4-3, 2-1-2

California Baptist

7-1-6, 2-0-3

California Baptist

Grand Canyon

Photo by: Sebastian Molinar

10/7/2023 9:37:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Gourley gives GCU early lead; CBU scores late in back-and-forth match

By: Jerob Moon

The Grand Canyon women's soccer team began its final three-game homestand of the regular season with a 1-1 draw against California Baptist on Saturday night.

In a game that is crucial in to the conference standings, CBU (7-1-6, 2-0-3 WAC) stayed one point ahead of GCU (8-4-3, 2-1-2 WAC) with four matches to go in the regular season.

The Lopes controlled most of the possession and took an early lead on a goal by senior forward Gianna Gourley. Build-up play from sophomore midfielder Leah Pirro and senior forward Bekah Valdez up the left side opened space in the box for Gourley to get open. After Valdez's cross, Gourley was surrounded by five Lancer defenders but got off a quick shot with her left foot to put GCU up 1-0 in the 12th minute.

For Gourley, it was her 14th goal of the season as she moves back into a tie for the top scorer in the conference and a tie for the third-most goals scored in the nation this season..

For the remainder of the half, the Lopes continued their offensive pressure finishing with seven shots with six on goal while limiting CBU to six shots with one on goal that junior goalkeeper DeAira Jackson saved in the 20th minute.

In the second half, the Lopes continued to push offensively looking for a second goal to cushion the lead. GCU senior forward Lindsey Prokop put a shot on goal early in the 47th minute, along with Gourley and midfielder AJ Loera in the 72nd and 79th minutes, respectively. All three shots were saved by CBU goalie Noa Schumacher, proving to be crucial later in the game.

In the 82nd minute, the Lopes were called for a foul in their defensive third, and the Lancers tied the match off the ensuing free kick. CBU's Jana Heinen headed the high-arching free kick from Taylor Summit into the net to level the match at 1-1.

The Lopes had one final chance for a game-winning goa. with just three minutes left in the match. Off a free kick near the penalty box, Gourley had a shot blocked and then saved on the goal line by Schumacher to keep the game tied, and time eventually ran out for a 1-1 draw.

GCU ended the match with 13 shots, including 10 on goal, while CBU had nine with just three on target.

In the conference standings, the Lopes remain in fourth with eight points and the Lancers jumped into a tie for second. The top two teams earn a first-round bye in the WAC Tournament, which will be hosted by CBU from Oct. 29-Nov. 4.

GCU will be back in action next week as they wrap up the final homestand with matches against UT Rio Grande Valley and Stephen F. Austin on Oct. 12 and 15.