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Grand Canyon University Athletics
Photo by: Garrett Ohrenberg
Gourley named WAC Preseason Co-POY, GCU tabbed 2nd
8/10/2023 12:00:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Reigning top conference scorer earns honor for 2nd consecutive year
Grand Canyon players Gianna Gourley and Leah Pirro were named to the 2023 Preseason All-WAC team with Gourley being chosen as the Preseason Co-Offensive Player of the Year.
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Gourley, a senior forward, and Pirro, a sophomore midfielder, are among 11 preseason honorees. They will lead a Lopes team that the conference coaches' preseason poll picked to finish second this season.
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"I am extremely proud of both Gianna and Leah," GCU head coach Chris Cissell said. "They are both very deserving of these great preseason honors. Both have been competing at a very high level and continue to work hard to develop their overall game."
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Gourley returns as the top offensive player in the conference. Last season, the Las Vegas native scored 18 goals, the most in the WAC since 2013, and accumulated 42 points. Those marks were GCU program records and among the top five nationally. Gourley also broke the GCU records for career goals and points in just her second season as a Lope.
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This is the second consecutive Preseason Player of the Year honor for Gourley, who shares this year's honor with Utah Valley's Heather Stainbrook.
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After earning All-WAC second-team honors in her first season as a Lope, Pirro joins Gourley on the Preseason All-WAC team. The Simi Valley, California, native finished third in team scoring last season with 13 points on four goals and five assists. Pirro will look to build on a strong WAC Tournament, where she scored a goal while adding two assists. Â
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"Gianna and Leah will be the first to tell you that we have several other outstanding players in our soccer family who could have been honored and recognized as well," Cissell said. "Individual honors and accolades come to those who are fortunate to play with other great teammates."
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In the WAC Preseason Coaches' Poll, the Lopes were picked second right behind reigning WAC regular-season champion Utah Valley. The Lopes earned two first-place votes, finishing with 73 points to be just six behind the Wolverines. This is the third straight year that the Lopes have been picked in the top three.
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"We are humbled and appreciative of the other head coaches in our amazing WAC conference that have voted us second in the preseason poll," Cissell said. "There are so many great teams in our league, and this will be another fun, competitive season."
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GCU will open the season at home against Mississippi State on Aug. 17 at 7 p.m.
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Gourley, a senior forward, and Pirro, a sophomore midfielder, are among 11 preseason honorees. They will lead a Lopes team that the conference coaches' preseason poll picked to finish second this season.
Â
"I am extremely proud of both Gianna and Leah," GCU head coach Chris Cissell said. "They are both very deserving of these great preseason honors. Both have been competing at a very high level and continue to work hard to develop their overall game."
Â
Gourley returns as the top offensive player in the conference. Last season, the Las Vegas native scored 18 goals, the most in the WAC since 2013, and accumulated 42 points. Those marks were GCU program records and among the top five nationally. Gourley also broke the GCU records for career goals and points in just her second season as a Lope.
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This is the second consecutive Preseason Player of the Year honor for Gourley, who shares this year's honor with Utah Valley's Heather Stainbrook.
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After earning All-WAC second-team honors in her first season as a Lope, Pirro joins Gourley on the Preseason All-WAC team. The Simi Valley, California, native finished third in team scoring last season with 13 points on four goals and five assists. Pirro will look to build on a strong WAC Tournament, where she scored a goal while adding two assists. Â Â
"Gianna and Leah will be the first to tell you that we have several other outstanding players in our soccer family who could have been honored and recognized as well," Cissell said. "Individual honors and accolades come to those who are fortunate to play with other great teammates."
Â
In the WAC Preseason Coaches' Poll, the Lopes were picked second right behind reigning WAC regular-season champion Utah Valley. The Lopes earned two first-place votes, finishing with 73 points to be just six behind the Wolverines. This is the third straight year that the Lopes have been picked in the top three.
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"We are humbled and appreciative of the other head coaches in our amazing WAC conference that have voted us second in the preseason poll," Cissell said. "There are so many great teams in our league, and this will be another fun, competitive season."
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GCU will open the season at home against Mississippi State on Aug. 17 at 7 p.m.
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Conference awards |
|
| Award | Player, School |
| Co-Offensive Player of the Year | Gianna Gourley, GCU |
| Co-Offensive Player of the Year | Heather Stainbrook, Utah Valley |
| Defensive Player of the Year | Jenna Shepherd, Utah Valley |
Preseason All-WAC Â |
|
| Position | Player, Year, School |
| Forward | Faith Weber, junior, Utah Valley |
| Forward | Karli Heaton, junior, Utah Tech |
| Forward | Gianna Gourley, junior, GCU |
| Midfielder | Leah Pirro, sophomore, GCU |
| Midfielder | Lourdes Bosch, senior, California Baptist |
| Midfielder | Heather Stainbrook, senior, Utah Valley |
| Defender | Kait Raffensperger, junior, Seattle U |
| Defender | Sydney Bushman, senior, Utah Valley |
| Defender | Jenna Shephard, senior, Utah Valley |
| Goalkeeper | Noa Schumacher, senior, California Baptist |
Preseason coaches poll |
|||
| Rank | Team (first-place votes) | Points | |
| 1 |
 |
Utah Valley (7) | 79 |
| 2 |
 |
Grand Canyon (2) | 73 |
| 3 |
 |
Seattle U (1) | 66 |
| 4 |
 |
California Baptist | 56 |
| 5 |
 |
Utah Tech | 44 |
| 6 |
 |
Stephen F. Austin | 41 |
| 7 |
 |
Southern Utah | 36 |
| 8 |
 |
Tarleton | 24 |
| 9 |
 |
Abilene Christian | 17 |
| 10 |
 |
UT Rio Grande Valley | 14 |
Players Mentioned
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