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
Lopes excited for impactful class of 2026
11/12/2025 1:00:00 PM | Women's Soccer
GCU signs 4 out-of-state players to add versatility to roster
Grand Canyon women's soccer added four high-profile players to the squad in their signing class of 2026.
GCU finished its first season in the Mountain West just a few weeks ago and now looks to the task of flipping its roster. A senior class of nine players exit the program, and the Lopes are confident that the class of 2026 will be a key piece for years moving forward.
"We are thrilled and excited to welcome these incredible student-athletes to our awesome GCU soccer family and culture," Cissell said. "The four girls joining our team all understand our team-first mentality, and we expect them to be great additions to the culture we are trying to uphold next season and in the years moving forward."
The class is made up of four incoming freshmen, all from out of state. Two athletes are from California, and the others hail from Missouri and Hawaii.
(listed alphabetically)
WHY GCU?: "I chose GCU because not only do they have a strong athletic program, but they also have amazing team culture and environment. Everything else about the school aligns with my personal goals in both sports and my personal life.." — Bonavito
SCOUTING REPORT: "Liliana is an incredible athlete that we believe adds significant depth to our midfielders on the roster. She is an exceptional box-to-box player that we believe will add another level of athleticism in our midfield, truly bridging the gap between our attacking third and defense." — Cissell
WHY GCU?: "The minute I stepped on campus, I knew this was where I belonged. The atmosphere with the athletic department, and also walking around campus and seeing the student life was amazing. GCU has an incredible campus, with amazing athletic facilities, and I love the coaching staff!" — D'Afonseca
SCOUTING REPORT: "Lia is an attacking midfielder that also has the one-on-one ability of a center forward. She is very versatile in her play, an impressive attacker, a skilled passer, and she possesses great technical ability in every spot on the field." — Cissell
WHY GCU?: "I chose GCU because I loved the coaching staff for the women's soccer team, and the girls on the team made me feel very welcomed." — Gwynn
SCOUTING REPORT: "Makayla is a crafty and speedy winger that we are very excited about. She has great technical ability and creates great opportunities for herself and her teammates on a consistent basis. We love the City San Diego connection we have built and are excited Makayla is the next to join our GCU soccer family from that club." — Cissell
WHY GCU?: "I chose GCU because I felt this was the best fit for me. I really liked the mentality and goals that the coaching staff put in the players, and I think the style of play really fits mine. In addition, GCU provides a strong community and good academic programs, which will help me achieve my goals beyond soccer." — Uyeda
SCOUTING REPORT: "Krislyn is a great holding defensive mid that can control the ball, passes very efficiently and communicates well among her teammates. She will win the ball consistently and will be a great addition to our midfield. Krislyn got to watch us play and train when we played in Hawaii last season, which was an added bonus for us." — Cissell
GCU finished its first season in the Mountain West just a few weeks ago and now looks to the task of flipping its roster. A senior class of nine players exit the program, and the Lopes are confident that the class of 2026 will be a key piece for years moving forward.
"We are thrilled and excited to welcome these incredible student-athletes to our awesome GCU soccer family and culture," Cissell said. "The four girls joining our team all understand our team-first mentality, and we expect them to be great additions to the culture we are trying to uphold next season and in the years moving forward."
The class is made up of four incoming freshmen, all from out of state. Two athletes are from California, and the others hail from Missouri and Hawaii.
MEET THE CLASS |
LILIANA BONAVITO
Midfielder - Walnut Creek, Calif. - Las Lomas HS
EXPERIENCE: Bonavito joins the Lopes from Las Lomas High School in Walnut Creek, California, and the Lamorinda Soccer Club, where the GCU coaching staff first began recruiting her.WHY GCU?: "I chose GCU because not only do they have a strong athletic program, but they also have amazing team culture and environment. Everything else about the school aligns with my personal goals in both sports and my personal life.." — Bonavito
SCOUTING REPORT: "Liliana is an incredible athlete that we believe adds significant depth to our midfielders on the roster. She is an exceptional box-to-box player that we believe will add another level of athleticism in our midfield, truly bridging the gap between our attacking third and defense." — Cissell
LIA D'AFONSECA
Midfielder - St. Charles, Mo. - Francis Howell HS
EXPERIENCE: D'Afonseca comes from St. Charles, Missouri, just outside of St. Louis, where the Lopes have created quite the pipeline year after year by adding great talent from the area. From Taylor Gerst to Hannah Smith, most Cissell signing classes at GCU have included a St. Louis-area native. D'Afonseca played for the Lou Fusz Athletic Soccer Club. In high school, she scored four goals in her freshman and sophomore seasons, before focusing on club ball during her junior year. She plans to play for Francis Howell High School in her upcoming senior season.WHY GCU?: "The minute I stepped on campus, I knew this was where I belonged. The atmosphere with the athletic department, and also walking around campus and seeing the student life was amazing. GCU has an incredible campus, with amazing athletic facilities, and I love the coaching staff!" — D'Afonseca
SCOUTING REPORT: "Lia is an attacking midfielder that also has the one-on-one ability of a center forward. She is very versatile in her play, an impressive attacker, a skilled passer, and she possesses great technical ability in every spot on the field." — Cissell
MAKAYLA GWYNN
Forward - San Diego, Calif. - Mt. Carmel HS
EXPERIENCE: Gwynn comes from a sports family with a household last name, as she is the daughter of former Major League Baseball player Tony Gwynn Jr. and is the granddaughter of late baseball Hall of Fame player Tony Gwynn. Gwynn was a four-year varsity starter at Mt. Carmel High School and played for the City San Diego GA club team. Gwynn is the third player in three years to come from the club, following in the footsteps of sophomore Samantha Amato and freshman Maya Paeske.WHY GCU?: "I chose GCU because I loved the coaching staff for the women's soccer team, and the girls on the team made me feel very welcomed." — Gwynn
SCOUTING REPORT: "Makayla is a crafty and speedy winger that we are very excited about. She has great technical ability and creates great opportunities for herself and her teammates on a consistent basis. We love the City San Diego connection we have built and are excited Makayla is the next to join our GCU soccer family from that club." — Cissell
KRISLYN UYEDA
Midfielder - Honolulu, Hawaii - Moanalua HS
EXPERIENCE: Uyeda brings goal-scoring ability from Hawaii. She scored 24 goals through her first three seasons at Moanalua High School, with her senior year upcoming. Uyeda comes from the Hawaii Rush club team and is the first Hawaiian player ever recruited by Lopes head coach Chris Cissell in his entire career.WHY GCU?: "I chose GCU because I felt this was the best fit for me. I really liked the mentality and goals that the coaching staff put in the players, and I think the style of play really fits mine. In addition, GCU provides a strong community and good academic programs, which will help me achieve my goals beyond soccer." — Uyeda
SCOUTING REPORT: "Krislyn is a great holding defensive mid that can control the ball, passes very efficiently and communicates well among her teammates. She will win the ball consistently and will be a great addition to our midfield. Krislyn got to watch us play and train when we played in Hawaii last season, which was an added bonus for us." — Cissell
Players Mentioned
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