Lopes suffer blown lead in Fresno

Sunday, October 19

Fresno, Calif.

12 p.m.

Grand Canyon

8-7-1, 3-4-1

Fresno State

6-5-5, 3-3-2

Grand Canyon

Fresno St.

10/19/2025 6:00:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

GCU's Clem scores in 3rd consecutive match

By: Braden Dohrmann

FRESNO, Calif. — In a game that held massive Mountain West standings implications, Grand Canyon's two-goal lead evaporated in the second half, losing 3-2 to Fresno State on Sunday.

Grand Canyon (8-7-1, 3-4-1 MW) jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first 14 minutes of the match. Fresno State (6-5-5, 3-3-2 MW) responded with three consecutive goals, two coming in the second half to steal the victory at home.

GCU's Reese Clem was a bright spot amid the loss. The sophomore forward scored her team-leading sixth goal of the season, as well as assisting sophomore midfielder Tatum Hofstetter on her fifth score of the year. Clem has scored in three consecutive matches, including the game-winner at UNLV last Sunday and the sole GCU goal in a Thursday tie vs. Wyoming.

Hofstetter's goal at Fresno State was an impressive one, created by her speed and breakaway ability to flip the field on her own before dishing the ball to Hofstetter above the box. Hofstetter used her body to create space on her right foot and then placed her signature curving shot to the top-left quadrant of the goal.

Clem scored in almost the exact way she did just three nights ago at GCU Stadium. Speedy senior forward Hannah Smith made a run down the right side of the pitch before drawing a defender, freeing up Clem who stayed onside perfectly. Clem received Smith's pass right in front of the goal for a fairly simple score.

Fresno State responded by scoring first in the 28th minute and then adding a pair of goals within a three-minute stretch at minutes 71 and 74.

GCU junior goalkeeper Emma Knack, who leads the conference in saves, added six more Sunday.

The Lopes hold 10 points in the MW standings, which puts them in seventh place — one spot out of the six-team MW Championship field if the season had ended.

The season does not end today, however, with three more conference game slots remaining. GCU plays its final two matches next week at home before the Lopes' bye occurs in the final slot of the season.

Grand Canyon likely needs a pair of wins in its home matches vs. MW leader Boise State and fifth-place Colorado College. A win and a tie (four points) could potentially be enough, but missing out on points in Sunday's match at Fresno State looms large.

The Boise State matchup will be Thursday at 7 p.m., while Sunday's Senior Day vs. Colorado College will be at noon. Both games are at GCU Stadium.