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
Valdez signs with Portland Thorns
7/18/2024 3:12:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Former GCU forward becomes program's 2nd NWSL pro signee
Grand Canyon alumnus Bekah Valdez signed with the Portland Thorns of the National Women's Soccer League on Thursday.
Valdez, a forward, joins former Lopes great Marleen Schimmer as the program's second signee in America's top women's soccer league.
"I'm really excited to have the opportunity to start my professional career with such a great organization like the Portland Thorns," Valdez said. "Playing in the NWSL is a dream come true. Everyone here has been so welcoming and has made the transition easier. I would like to thank all of my teammates and coaches at GCU who pushed me to be a better player every day. I couldn't have made it here without your support."
Valdez and Temple alumnus Marissa DiGenova were announced concurrently by Portland as National Team Replacement Players. The Thorns have players set to join the national teams of the United States, Canada and Nigeria for the upcoming Olympic Games.
Valdez appeared in 40 matches over the past two seasons with GCU. She scored 12 goals and assisted on 13 more.
"I am absolutely thrilled for Bekah Valdez," GCU head coach Chris Cissell said. "This is an unbelievable accomplishment, and our entire awesome GCU soccer family is so proud of her. We have been so blessed and so fortunate to help several of our players move onto the professional ranks, and Valdez is a phenomenal player with great technical ability and one of the best 1-v-1 players I have ever had the pleasure and fortune to coach. This is extremely exciting news for our entire soccer family."
During GCU's march to the 2023 WAC Tournament championship, Valdez assisted on a goal in GCU's semifinal match against Utah Valley and scored one of the Lopes' four goals in the championship match against Seattle U.
As part of the NWSL's Summer Cup, the Thorns have three matches scheduled during the Paris Olympics:
Valdez, a forward, joins former Lopes great Marleen Schimmer as the program's second signee in America's top women's soccer league."I'm really excited to have the opportunity to start my professional career with such a great organization like the Portland Thorns," Valdez said. "Playing in the NWSL is a dream come true. Everyone here has been so welcoming and has made the transition easier. I would like to thank all of my teammates and coaches at GCU who pushed me to be a better player every day. I couldn't have made it here without your support."
Valdez and Temple alumnus Marissa DiGenova were announced concurrently by Portland as National Team Replacement Players. The Thorns have players set to join the national teams of the United States, Canada and Nigeria for the upcoming Olympic Games.
Valdez appeared in 40 matches over the past two seasons with GCU. She scored 12 goals and assisted on 13 more.
"I am absolutely thrilled for Bekah Valdez," GCU head coach Chris Cissell said. "This is an unbelievable accomplishment, and our entire awesome GCU soccer family is so proud of her. We have been so blessed and so fortunate to help several of our players move onto the professional ranks, and Valdez is a phenomenal player with great technical ability and one of the best 1-v-1 players I have ever had the pleasure and fortune to coach. This is extremely exciting news for our entire soccer family."
During GCU's march to the 2023 WAC Tournament championship, Valdez assisted on a goal in GCU's semifinal match against Utah Valley and scored one of the Lopes' four goals in the championship match against Seattle U.
As part of the NWSL's Summer Cup, the Thorns have three matches scheduled during the Paris Olympics:
- Sunday, July 21 at 4 p.m. vs. Club Tijuana
- Saturday, July 27 at 7 p.m. at Utah Royals FC
- Wednesday, July 31 at 7 p.m. vs. Seattle Reign
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's SoccerGCU Women's Basketball vs. Nevada - Highlights
Thursday, January 15
GCU Men's Basketball at New Mexico - Postgame with Bryce Drew
Thursday, January 15
GCU Men's Basketball at New Mexico - Highlights
Wednesday, January 14
GCU Men's Basketball vs. San José State - Postgame Radio with Bryce Drew
Sunday, January 11