GCU defeats Oregon for 3rd straight shutout

Sunday, August 31

Eugene, Ore.

11 a.m.

Grand Canyon

3-1-0, 0-0-0

Oregon

2-3-1, 0-0-0

Grand Canyon

Oregon

Photo by: Braden Dohrmann

8/31/2025 3:58:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Knack's 11 saves complement Smith, Hofstetter goals

By: Braden Dohrmann

EUGENE, Ore. — All signs point up for Grand Canyon's season trajectory after the Lopes took care of Oregon on Sunday, winning 2-0 and taking their record to 3-1.

The Lopes jumped on Oregon early with two first-half goals. Defensively, GCU turned away 30 Oregon shots for zero scores — a defensive master class by the Lopes' back line and junior goalkeeper Emma Knack.

Grand Canyon has won three straight matches, all on the road via shutouts. Knack has been in goal for all 270 minutes of the win streak and has accumulated 23 saves in those matches.

"Super proud of Emma Knack," Lopes head coach Chris Cissell said after his team beat Oregon for the second time in three seasons. "She absolutely balled out and made amazing save after amazing save today. We are lucky to have her."

Knack, a transfer from South Dakota State, recorded 17 saves on a four-day trip to Portland State and Oregon, where she made a career-high 11 saves against the Ducks.

The 11-save performance marks the fourth most by a GCU goalkeeper in the program's Division I era. Knack made phenomenal saves, as Oregon fired 19 of its 30 shots in the second half with the Lopes leading 2-0. Late in the match, graduate defender Kennedy Chambers added a save after a Knack deflection led to a rebound and second attempt on goal.

The second half was possessed mostly by the Ducks, putting significant pressure on the GCU defensive third. The Lopes held their ground for the shutout with two goals in the first 20 minutes standing strong.

GCU's offense had scored one goal per game entering Sunday's match and waited just five minutes to strike against Oregon. Senior forward Hannah Smith did the honors for the Lopes, scoring off an entry pass to the top of the box from junior midfielder Madison Hamm. Smith fired a shot off the outstretched gloves of the Ducks goal keeper for the opening goal.

Smith's goal was the second of her career, and her first game-winning score. Hamm now leads the team in assists with a pair through four matches.

In the 20th minute, GCU sophomore midfielder Tatum Hofstetter added to the fun with a jaw-dropping banger to the top-left quadrant of the goal from 5 yards behind the penalty box. The shot curved around the goalkeeper, making for a highlight-worthy score.

"Both goals were so great and crucial for us today," Cissell said. "Smith's was so big for her as a senior and a captain of this team, she's really coming into her own this season. Tatum being able to score the way she did against the opponent she did — really proud of her as well."

It was Hofstetter's first career goal after transferring from Ole Miss. Hofstetter has been a mainstay in the starting lineup as an attacking midfielder and added an assist to her body of work Thursday at Portland State.

Cissell also credited his staff for the work and preparation put in for the 2-0 weekend in Oregon.

"Super proud of our players, of course," Cissell said. "Incredibly proud of my assistants and the work they put in this week, along with the support staff that made this week an incredible experience for our girls."

The Lopes return home for two matches in the next 10 days, starting with Friday's matchup against Sam Houston at GCU Stadium. The match is GCU's Athlete Alumni Night. Idaho will follow on Sept. 11, when GCU's student section will "March to the Match."