Completed Event: Women's Soccer versus San Diego State on September 25, 2025 , Loss , 1, to, 2
W Soccer
vs San Diego State
L 1-2
Grand Canyon University Athletics
Sunday, October 6
Phoenix, Ariz.
1 p.m.
Grand Canyon
9-4-1, 3-0-0
1
vs
0
Tarleton State
7-5-3, 1-2-0
1
2
F
Tarleton St.
0
0
0
Grand Canyon
0
1
1
Photo by: David Kadlubowski
Late goal secures win in early senior send-off
10/6/2024 4:25:00 PM | Women's Soccer, Paul Coro
Cardinal becomes program-record 14th Lope to score this season
Senior Day and the final home match for Grand Canyon women's soccer fell on Sunday, a long way from the mid-November dates when the Lopes plan to be playing in the NCAA tournament.
That goal is starting to look closer after GCU moved to 3-0 in WAC play with a 1-0 victory Sunday against Tarleton State at GCU Stadium.
The hottest Oct. 6 in Phoenix history hit 113 degrees during the second half, when the Lopes (9-4-1, 3-0 WAC) were sweating out the outcome despite outshooting the Texans 24-4 because they did not score until the 56th minute.
And just like each of the four goals in the previous two conference wins, Sunday's goal came from a first-time scorer. GCU forward Anahi Cardinal, on her Senior Day, scored the game-winner for her first career goal. She is the Lopes season's 14th goal scorer, the most in the program's 12-year Division I era.
Two Phoenix natives shrugged off the heat, which broke a 1917 record by eight degrees. Graduate Alex Sampson, who scored her first career goal last match after moving to winger recently, intercepted a goal kick and dribbled past one Tarleton State defender before weaving by another to feed Cardinal.
With a second-half start, Cardinal nearly scored on her first shot on goal of the season a minute earlier before that Sampson pass set the Xavier College Preparatory graduate up for a left-footed redirect that claimed a 1-0 lead.
"There were definitely a lot of emotions, but it felt good to score in my last home game here," said Cardinal, who played a season-high 31 minutes and took a career-high three shots on goal. "I got a good amount of time today, and that helped me get a good chance."
Sampson scored a goal in Thursday's 2-1 win against Abilene Christian before getting a solo assist while her leg cramped up Sunday.
"That was a great cross," Cardinal said. "She honestly did all the work, and I just tapped it in. That was a fun goal."
GCU won its third consecutive one-goal game but has outshot opponents by an average of 13.4 over the past five matches.
The Lopes needed their sixth shutout of the season to make the goal stand up Sunday, when their defense did not allow a second-half shot for the second consecutive match with seniors Sidney Roberts and Destinee Duran-Wise playing all 90 minutes.
Duran-Wise played four GCU seasons and brought the largest following from her nearby West Valley roots.
"I'm so glad we won and go home with smiles," Duran-Wise said. "It's fun to be here with my 12 other seniors. Even though some of them transferred in, it's great to grow up with these girls. To see the underclassmen crying shows the impact that we've had."
Lopes goalkeeper DeAira Jackson made a backpedaling save 70 seconds into the match but did not face another shot for nearly 33 minutes.
GCU was keeping the ball at the other end with several first-half threats, including a Sampson shot toward an open net that was blocked by a Texan defender, junior forward Maddie Brady firing wide off a perfect free kick by junior midfielder Grace Bartlett, graduate forward Ellie Crisler shooting wide in the goal box on senior forward Mayu Yamamoto's cross and another Brady shot being stopped by a diving save in the first half's final minute.
Bartlett connected with Brady on a second-half long ball too, but Brady's shot was deflected wide on a stellar day by Tarleton State goalkeeper Mikayla Kendall. She made a charging, sliding save on a Sampson shot later, but the Texans could not muster any threat to score.
"I feel really comfortable because of how much confidence and belief I have in our goalkeeper and our defense, but I would breathe a lot easier and my stress level wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't always a one-goal lead late," said Cissell, whose team is allowing 0.7 goals per match this season.
The Lopes play their final four regular-season matches on the road, starting Friday at Southern Utah. That is followed with visits to two conference contenders, Seattle U on Oct. 17 at 2-0-1 and Utah Valley on Oct. 21 at 3-0. The regular season closes Oct. 26 at California Baptist before the Nov. 3-9 WAC Tournament at Abilene Christian.
Cissell had a busy Sunday morning, when he wrote personalized text messages to each of the 13 Lopes being honored for Senior Day. Part of the message was that they were nowhere near done working together.
"My message to them is that it was their last game here, but we've got four regular-season games left, a whole conference tournament and, I hope, national tournament games too," Cissell said. "I told them, 'I am going to be coaching you and working with you at least a whole month or longer.' It just feels really strange to have a Senior Day so early, and it felt really strange for the whole soccer family.
"The culture that the team has helped to create here is phenomenal."
Prior to the win, 13 Lopes were honored for Senior Day. GCU coordinator of athletic communications Braden Dohrmann summarized their careers:
Harris played her first season with Grand Canyon this year after playing the previous three years for the GCU Women's Soccer Club team.
Perseverance and persistence led to her getting to the D1 level. Clarissa will be remembered as one of the hardest workers at each training and a great teammate.
Yamamoto is originally from Osaka, Japan. This season, she transferred to GCU from Southern Utah after having an all-conference season for the Thunderbirds.
This season, she scored a goal vs Little Rock and has played every game with four starts. Yamaoto's teammates love her, and the program has been better with her in it.
Crisler transferred to GCU this season after scoring 28 goals over five years at Lee, a Division II program.
Crisler wanted to compete at the D-I level, and she made the transition look smooth. She is the leading scorer for the Lopes with three goals this season. Two of her goals were game winners at Nevada and vs. North Dakota State in Hawaii.
Sampson transferred to GCU this season from Pepperdine, where she played and started in big matches in two NCAA tournaments.
She is a Valley product from Desert Vista High School and won three state championships with the Arizona Arsenal Soccer Club, hwere teammate Brenna Alderson played with her. Sampson has had an amazing season, impacting the game on both ends by playing multiple positions. Sampson recorded an assist in the Lopes' win over Air Force in Hawaii and scored her first collegiate goal Thursday night vs. Abilene Christian.
Piete transferred to GCU from San Diego. She wanted to finish her career with a winning program and has been a large part of the team's success this season.
Piete has two goals and an assist on the season, with her most notable being the game-winning goal over Air Force in Hawaii. Piete was on the Outrigger No Ka Oi All-Tournament Team for her efforts.
Cardinal transferred to GCU from James Madison before last season and is now in her second and final season for the Lopes.
Cardinal is local to the Phoenix area, graduating high school from Xavier College Preparatory. She consistently has been a hard worker and someone on the team that everyone enjoys. Cardinal is concluding her soccer career to pursue her academic goals to pursue a nursing degree.
Sainz played the previous three seasons for the Lopes, getting on the 2021 All-WAC Freshman Ream and starting on the 2023 WAC championship team.
This offseason, she retired due to injury. However, Sainz has continued to be a part of the program as a student manager. She has added a player's perspective and leadership in the locker room with an exceptional attitude and the respect of her entire soccer family.
Jensen has played at GCU for three years after transferring from Portland State. She will be remembered for competing with passion and intensity. However, she'll go down as a player who exemplifies the team-first mentality and soccer family atmosphere.
Jensen is this team's culture captain, a member of the leadership council and a great model of hard work and spirit for her teammates. Jensen scored vs Little Rock and recorded two assists vs. Charleston Southern this season.
In Jackson's two years at GCU, she has left quite the mark. Jackson was the All-WAC second-team goalkeeper in 2023 and made the third-team All-Pacific Region team after she took home All-WAC Tournament honors.
This year, Jackson was named WAC Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year and was ranked as the eighth-best goalkeeper in the nation by Top Drawer Soccer. Jackson is a two-time WAC Player of the Week this season and was named Outrigger No Ka Oi Tournament MVP. She logged her sixth shutout Sunday to rank second in GCU history. She will go down as the most talented goalkeeper in program history but will be remembered most for a caring personality.
Ganief is in her third year at GCU after transferring from Iowa. Cissell's favorite Canadian has been a mainstay at center back since she arrived. She is one of the best defenders in the region, landing on the All-WAC first team and All-Pacific Region third Team last season.
This season, Ganief was named to the Preseason All-WAC Team. Despite being a defender, Ganief has been a massive scoring threat on set pieces, scoring four goals in 2023 and adding two more this season vs. Utah State and Charleston Southern. She has been the model of consistency, a leadership presence in the locker room, a team captain and on a leadership council member.
Alderson is the longest-tenured Lope on the roster, playing here since 2020. A Gilbert product from Perry High School, Alderson has had success since she arrived on campus.
Named to the WAC All-Freshman Team in 2020, All-WAC first team in 2021 and a captain for the last three years, she has had a major impact on the program's upward trajectory. She was a part of each of GCU's WAC titles as a midfielder for all five years, showcasing incredible vision and passing, as well as a knack for timely goals. Alderson ranks in GCU's top five all-time for game-winning goals, a number she added to this season when she scored vs. NAU in front of a program-record attendedance at GCU Stadium. Alderson is a part of the soccer family's leadership council.
Duran-Wise is a four-year Lope who has started and played in significant minutes every season. A graduate of University High School in Tolleson, Duran-Wise has been a part of each WAC championship in program history.
She is recognized as one of the most athletic and versatile players on the team, as she has played many positions throughout the seasons. Duran-Wise took her game to the next level this season, receiving two WAC Player of the Week awards and landing a spot on the Outrigger No Ka Oi All-Tournament Team. The team captain is on the leadership council and adds even more to her plate as the vice president of the GCU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Her intensity on the field and joy off the field will be missed.
Roberts is in her third GCU year after transferring from Utah. She personifies mental toughness and leading by example.
On the field, Roberts is a lockdown defender who never comes off the pitch. In 2023, she racked up 1,985 minutes, the second most in a season in GCU history. She may top those numbers this season. Her stamina is more obvious based off her program-record beep test, which likely will never be beaten. The Academic All-WAC honoree excels in the classroom and was picked for WAC Player of the Week award and the Outrigger No Ka Oi All-Tournament Team this season.
Off the field, she is a leader, a captain and a team grandma. She will be remembered as one of the greatest leaders in program history.
That goal is starting to look closer after GCU moved to 3-0 in WAC play with a 1-0 victory Sunday against Tarleton State at GCU Stadium.
The hottest Oct. 6 in Phoenix history hit 113 degrees during the second half, when the Lopes (9-4-1, 3-0 WAC) were sweating out the outcome despite outshooting the Texans 24-4 because they did not score until the 56th minute.
And just like each of the four goals in the previous two conference wins, Sunday's goal came from a first-time scorer. GCU forward Anahi Cardinal, on her Senior Day, scored the game-winner for her first career goal. She is the Lopes season's 14th goal scorer, the most in the program's 12-year Division I era.
Two Phoenix natives shrugged off the heat, which broke a 1917 record by eight degrees. Graduate Alex Sampson, who scored her first career goal last match after moving to winger recently, intercepted a goal kick and dribbled past one Tarleton State defender before weaving by another to feed Cardinal.With a second-half start, Cardinal nearly scored on her first shot on goal of the season a minute earlier before that Sampson pass set the Xavier College Preparatory graduate up for a left-footed redirect that claimed a 1-0 lead.
"There were definitely a lot of emotions, but it felt good to score in my last home game here," said Cardinal, who played a season-high 31 minutes and took a career-high three shots on goal. "I got a good amount of time today, and that helped me get a good chance."
Sampson scored a goal in Thursday's 2-1 win against Abilene Christian before getting a solo assist while her leg cramped up Sunday.
"That was a great cross," Cardinal said. "She honestly did all the work, and I just tapped it in. That was a fun goal."GCU won its third consecutive one-goal game but has outshot opponents by an average of 13.4 over the past five matches.
The Lopes needed their sixth shutout of the season to make the goal stand up Sunday, when their defense did not allow a second-half shot for the second consecutive match with seniors Sidney Roberts and Destinee Duran-Wise playing all 90 minutes.
Duran-Wise played four GCU seasons and brought the largest following from her nearby West Valley roots.
"I'm so glad we won and go home with smiles," Duran-Wise said. "It's fun to be here with my 12 other seniors. Even though some of them transferred in, it's great to grow up with these girls. To see the underclassmen crying shows the impact that we've had."
Lopes goalkeeper DeAira Jackson made a backpedaling save 70 seconds into the match but did not face another shot for nearly 33 minutes.GCU was keeping the ball at the other end with several first-half threats, including a Sampson shot toward an open net that was blocked by a Texan defender, junior forward Maddie Brady firing wide off a perfect free kick by junior midfielder Grace Bartlett, graduate forward Ellie Crisler shooting wide in the goal box on senior forward Mayu Yamamoto's cross and another Brady shot being stopped by a diving save in the first half's final minute.
Bartlett connected with Brady on a second-half long ball too, but Brady's shot was deflected wide on a stellar day by Tarleton State goalkeeper Mikayla Kendall. She made a charging, sliding save on a Sampson shot later, but the Texans could not muster any threat to score.
"I feel really comfortable because of how much confidence and belief I have in our goalkeeper and our defense, but I would breathe a lot easier and my stress level wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't always a one-goal lead late," said Cissell, whose team is allowing 0.7 goals per match this season.
The Lopes play their final four regular-season matches on the road, starting Friday at Southern Utah. That is followed with visits to two conference contenders, Seattle U on Oct. 17 at 2-0-1 and Utah Valley on Oct. 21 at 3-0. The regular season closes Oct. 26 at California Baptist before the Nov. 3-9 WAC Tournament at Abilene Christian.Cissell had a busy Sunday morning, when he wrote personalized text messages to each of the 13 Lopes being honored for Senior Day. Part of the message was that they were nowhere near done working together.
"My message to them is that it was their last game here, but we've got four regular-season games left, a whole conference tournament and, I hope, national tournament games too," Cissell said. "I told them, 'I am going to be coaching you and working with you at least a whole month or longer.' It just feels really strange to have a Senior Day so early, and it felt really strange for the whole soccer family.
"The culture that the team has helped to create here is phenomenal."
Prior to the win, 13 Lopes were honored for Senior Day. GCU coordinator of athletic communications Braden Dohrmann summarized their careers:
Clarissa Harris
Sierra Vista, Ariz.
Harris played her first season with Grand Canyon this year after playing the previous three years for the GCU Women's Soccer Club team.Perseverance and persistence led to her getting to the D1 level. Clarissa will be remembered as one of the hardest workers at each training and a great teammate.
Mayu Yamamoto
Osaka, Japan
Yamamoto is originally from Osaka, Japan. This season, she transferred to GCU from Southern Utah after having an all-conference season for the Thunderbirds.This season, she scored a goal vs Little Rock and has played every game with four starts. Yamaoto's teammates love her, and the program has been better with her in it.
Ellie Crisler
Monument, Colo.
Crisler transferred to GCU this season after scoring 28 goals over five years at Lee, a Division II program.Crisler wanted to compete at the D-I level, and she made the transition look smooth. She is the leading scorer for the Lopes with three goals this season. Two of her goals were game winners at Nevada and vs. North Dakota State in Hawaii.
Alex Sampson
Phoenix, Ariz.
Sampson transferred to GCU this season from Pepperdine, where she played and started in big matches in two NCAA tournaments.She is a Valley product from Desert Vista High School and won three state championships with the Arizona Arsenal Soccer Club, hwere teammate Brenna Alderson played with her. Sampson has had an amazing season, impacting the game on both ends by playing multiple positions. Sampson recorded an assist in the Lopes' win over Air Force in Hawaii and scored her first collegiate goal Thursday night vs. Abilene Christian.
Bella Piete
Alpine, Calif.
Piete transferred to GCU from San Diego. She wanted to finish her career with a winning program and has been a large part of the team's success this season.Piete has two goals and an assist on the season, with her most notable being the game-winning goal over Air Force in Hawaii. Piete was on the Outrigger No Ka Oi All-Tournament Team for her efforts.
Anahi Cardinal
Phoenix, Ariz.
Cardinal transferred to GCU from James Madison before last season and is now in her second and final season for the Lopes.Cardinal is local to the Phoenix area, graduating high school from Xavier College Preparatory. She consistently has been a hard worker and someone on the team that everyone enjoys. Cardinal is concluding her soccer career to pursue her academic goals to pursue a nursing degree.
Renee Sainz
Queen Creek, Ariz.
Sainz played the previous three seasons for the Lopes, getting on the 2021 All-WAC Freshman Ream and starting on the 2023 WAC championship team.This offseason, she retired due to injury. However, Sainz has continued to be a part of the program as a student manager. She has added a player's perspective and leadership in the locker room with an exceptional attitude and the respect of her entire soccer family.
Ani Jensen
Salt Lake City, Utah
Jensen has played at GCU for three years after transferring from Portland State. She will be remembered for competing with passion and intensity. However, she'll go down as a player who exemplifies the team-first mentality and soccer family atmosphere.Jensen is this team's culture captain, a member of the leadership council and a great model of hard work and spirit for her teammates. Jensen scored vs Little Rock and recorded two assists vs. Charleston Southern this season.
DeAira Jackson
Fontana, Calif.
In Jackson's two years at GCU, she has left quite the mark. Jackson was the All-WAC second-team goalkeeper in 2023 and made the third-team All-Pacific Region team after she took home All-WAC Tournament honors.This year, Jackson was named WAC Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year and was ranked as the eighth-best goalkeeper in the nation by Top Drawer Soccer. Jackson is a two-time WAC Player of the Week this season and was named Outrigger No Ka Oi Tournament MVP. She logged her sixth shutout Sunday to rank second in GCU history. She will go down as the most talented goalkeeper in program history but will be remembered most for a caring personality.
Aleisha Ganief
Vancouver, British Columbia
Ganief is in her third year at GCU after transferring from Iowa. Cissell's favorite Canadian has been a mainstay at center back since she arrived. She is one of the best defenders in the region, landing on the All-WAC first team and All-Pacific Region third Team last season.This season, Ganief was named to the Preseason All-WAC Team. Despite being a defender, Ganief has been a massive scoring threat on set pieces, scoring four goals in 2023 and adding two more this season vs. Utah State and Charleston Southern. She has been the model of consistency, a leadership presence in the locker room, a team captain and on a leadership council member.
Brenna Alderson
Gilbert, Ariz.
Alderson is the longest-tenured Lope on the roster, playing here since 2020. A Gilbert product from Perry High School, Alderson has had success since she arrived on campus.Named to the WAC All-Freshman Team in 2020, All-WAC first team in 2021 and a captain for the last three years, she has had a major impact on the program's upward trajectory. She was a part of each of GCU's WAC titles as a midfielder for all five years, showcasing incredible vision and passing, as well as a knack for timely goals. Alderson ranks in GCU's top five all-time for game-winning goals, a number she added to this season when she scored vs. NAU in front of a program-record attendedance at GCU Stadium. Alderson is a part of the soccer family's leadership council.
Destinee Duran-Wise
Phoenix, Ariz.
Duran-Wise is a four-year Lope who has started and played in significant minutes every season. A graduate of University High School in Tolleson, Duran-Wise has been a part of each WAC championship in program history.She is recognized as one of the most athletic and versatile players on the team, as she has played many positions throughout the seasons. Duran-Wise took her game to the next level this season, receiving two WAC Player of the Week awards and landing a spot on the Outrigger No Ka Oi All-Tournament Team. The team captain is on the leadership council and adds even more to her plate as the vice president of the GCU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Her intensity on the field and joy off the field will be missed.
Sidney Roberts
Huntsville, Utah
Roberts is in her third GCU year after transferring from Utah. She personifies mental toughness and leading by example.On the field, Roberts is a lockdown defender who never comes off the pitch. In 2023, she racked up 1,985 minutes, the second most in a season in GCU history. She may top those numbers this season. Her stamina is more obvious based off her program-record beep test, which likely will never be beaten. The Academic All-WAC honoree excels in the classroom and was picked for WAC Player of the Week award and the Outrigger No Ka Oi All-Tournament Team this season.
Off the field, she is a leader, a captain and a team grandma. She will be remembered as one of the greatest leaders in program history.
Team Stats
TSU
GCU
Goals
0
1
Shots
4
24
Shots on Goal
3
11
Saves
9
3
Corners
1
8
Fouls
3
7
Scoring Plays
Anahi Cardinal (1)
Assisted By: Alex Sampson
GOAL by GCU Cardinal, Anahi Assist by Sampson, Alex.
55:23
Game Leaders
Shots
3
SOG
3
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
3
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
4
SOG
3
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
3
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
M
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's SoccerF
/ Women's SoccerF
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's SoccerD
/ Women's SoccerF
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