Clem's long, far-post banger sends Lopes to 2-1

Thursday, August 28

Portland, Ore.

1 p.m.

Grand Canyon

2-1-0, 0-0-0

Portland State

1-2-1, 0-0-0

Grand Canyon

Portland St.

Photo by: Braden Dohrmann

8/28/2025 5:00:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

GCU's Knack earns back-to-back road shutouts in goal

By: Braden Dohrmann

Grand Canyon started its Oregon road trip off with a 1-0 win in a rare Thursday 1 p.m. start at Portland State, thanks to sophomore forward Reese Clem's far-post banger from near the corner in the 61st minute.

The Lopes (2-1) once again found themselves tied 0-0 at halftime with Portland State (1-2-1) after a first half that was mostly possessed by GCU with no shots on goal to show for it.

Lopes junior goalkeeper Emma Knack took care of her job in the first 45 minutes with three saves.

"We honestly were not too pleased with the energy level and intensity in the first half," GCU head coach Chris Cissell said. "The second half, however, felt like a completely different team."

Whatever the message, it was sent clearly, as the Lopes came out with a visible boost in energy and effort that immediately put the Vikings on their heels. GCU junior midfielder Madison Hamm's shot on goal was saved at the line by a Portland State defender, and sophomore forward Ellie Johannes' shot off the post made for another early second-half opportunity that almost gave the Lopes the lead.

Clem was the player to cash in and give the Lopes the lead that they held the rest of the match. In the 61st minute, GCU lined up for its second corner kick in a matter of 30 seconds. Lopes sophomore Tatum Hofstetter took the corner but elected to pass the ball to Clem, the winger who was alone just 3 yards away.

Clem, who scored twice in her freshman campaign, sent a beautiful 25-yard ball toward the far post and scored, just grazing past the Vikings' leaping goalkeeper's outstretched hands. It was Clem's first goal of the season and Hoftstetter's first career collegiate assist.

Knack secured her second straight shutout, both on the road, after four goals were scored on her in the season opener against UC Irvine. The defensive effort was helped by 90-minute performances from the center backs, Hamm and graduate Kennedy Chambers.

The starting outside backs, sophomore Samantha Amato and freshman Taylor Gerst, clocked in 77 minutes apiece with Gerst making her first collegiate start.

"I think we have really good players and great team," Cissell said. "I am excited for us to take that next step and put together a full 90 minutes of play that looked like that second half."

The road trip has only just begun for GCU, as it sets its sight on Oregon next. Coming into the weekend,the Lopes were 1-0 all-time against Portland State and Oregon. Grand Canyon is one win away from making the weekend one to remember but also improving those records to 2-0.

"Winning the first match of the trip is huge for us," Cissell said. "The training will be more fun. The fun team events we have planned will be more enjoyable. Even our food will taste better. However, we know how big of a matchup Sunday will be."

The Lopes and Ducks will kick off at 11 a.m. (Phoenix time) from Papé Field in Eugene with GCU's goal in mind to stay undefeated on the road and return home with a 3-1 record. Oregon (2-1) hosts New Mexico tonight.