Win over LMU comes by making most of chances

Thursday, September 14

Phoenix, Ariz.

7 p.m.

Grand Canyon

6-2-1, 0-0-0

Loyola Marymount

5-4-0, 0-0-0

LMU (CA)

Grand Canyon

Photo by: Wesley Kurz

9/14/2023 10:41:00 PM | Women's Soccer, Paul Coro

Box Score

GCU's Gourley nets 9th goal of season; Bartlett scores 1st career goal

By: Paul Coro

The only thing harder to come by than goals against Grand Canyon and Loyola Marymount turned out to be scoring opportunities at GCU Stadium on Thursday night.

But the Lopes made the most of their two shots on goal, scoring on both to make their defensive effort stand up for a 2-1 win and GCU's fifth consecutive home victory.

After senior scoring machine Gianna Gourley's ninth goal in nine matches and sophomore midfielder Grace Bartlett's first career goal, the Lopes were less than seven minutes away from a fifth consecutive home shutout when LMU scored. It was the only Lions goal, thanks to a pair of spectacular late-game saves by GCU junior goalkeeper DeAira Jackson.

GCU (6-2-1) ended an LMU four-game winning streak in which the Lions had only allowed one goal.

"The thing that I'm proudest of is LMU had won four straight and were playing good with only six goals allowed in eight games, so we knew it was going to be tough to score on them," GCU head coach Chris Cissell said. "Give them credit because they held us to very few chances in front of goal. Luckily for us, we were clinical with the chances we got."

The combination of elite defense and an elite scorer proved to be enough again, starting with when LMU fouled Gourley just outside the box to give her a free kick and the Lopes' second shot in the match's 35th minute. From 20 yards out, Gourley lined a shot just over the five-Lion wall in front of her while placing the ball into the net's upper-right corner for a 1-0 lead. The goal carried more significance for Gourley, who became the sixth active Division I player to reach the 100-point career milestone.

Gianna Gourley

"I was screaming when the free kick happened to make sure that 'G' took it because I knew she was having that mindset to take it," Cissell said. "I had a good feeling and had just told the coaches that she was going to finish it and put us up one-nil. I don't know what you say about someone with nine goals in nine games. That's amazing. She's been a great leader on and off the field for us."

Gourley's ninth goal of the season put the Las Vegas native in a tie for the fifth-most goals in the nation after tying for fourth in the nation for goals last season. With 43 career goals, she also ranks fifth nationally for most career goals among active Division I players.

After a defensive play by junior Renee Sainz preserved the Lopes' 1-0 lead, they held that edge into halftime with only six shots combined by the teams – LMU 4, GCU 2.

Lopes junior defenders Aleisha Ganief and Sidney Roberts cleared more balls from the box in the early second half, helping the Lopes to switch ends for their second goal in the 58th minute.

GCU sophomore midfielder AJ Loera, who had just put a shot off the crossbar, passed to another sophomore midfielder, Grace Bartlett, in open space. From 35 yards out, Bartlett used her powerful leg to fire a shot that deflected off a LMU defender's elbow and past the goalkeeper for a 2-0 Lopes lead.

"Last home game, I hit the post and I've been working on it a lot with (assistant coach) Ben (Parman) and the coaching staff to put my long hits on target, and it finally happened," said Bartlett, who is from Overland Park, Kansas. "I was screaming, 'Handball,' and then it went in so I went, 'Heck yeah.' I'm very excited that we got the win and happy to be a part of it."

DeAira Jackson

The cushion proved valuable when LMU's attacks became more dangerous in the final minutes of the match. Lions defender Alice Santen took an 80th-minute free kick from 30 yards out and hit a strike that usually would be a goal, but Jackson leaped high and across her body to bat it away from the upper corner.

Less than four minutes later, the Lions used a GCU backfield turnover to quickly try Jackson's left side again from 18 yards out. The Fontana, California, native dived sideways and used all of her 6-foot-1 frame to deflect a goal away again.

"My adrenaline was kicking after the first one," Jackson said. "She hit the free kick spot on. It was driven, no curve, perfect. I love going upper hand. It gets you up there, gives you momentum and I'm right-hand dominant."

In Jackson's first year in goal for GCU, the Cal State Fullerton transfer is part of the reason that the Lopes have only allowed five goals in nine matches this season. She has played all 810 minutes of action.

"I absolutely love playing for Grand Canyon," Jackson said. "Better team culture. Better team vibe. Better coaching staff. It's a positive environment for me to develop and grow as a person and a player. And then having my teammates back me is really good for me. We call the back four the 'Secret Service.' I think that's helped my confidence and my play."

On the ensuing corner kick after the second highlight save, Jackson picked up more help when sophomore forward Hannah Smith, at the goal line, and junior defender Desitinee Duran-Wise, at the top of the goal area, headed away goal-bound shots before the wild sequence resulted in an LMU goal.

Chris Cissell

That left GCU with six minutes to maintain a 2-1 edge, and the Lopes got through it without allowing another shot.

The GCU players again dedicated their efforts to Cissell, who rejoined the team Thursday morning after returning from his mother's Tuesday memorial service in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

"It's been awesome to have him back," Bartlett said. "He's gone through a lot, and we feel horrible for him. He is a huge piece of our team and such a good person to have around. He's such a good motivator, so we're happy to have him back. Playing for him."

GCU will next play Sunday at No. 11 Arkansas, the Lopes' first ranked opponent since a 2021 NCAA tournament loss at No. 3 USC.