Johannes banger propels Lopes to road win

Thursday, September 18

Flagstaff, Ariz.

7 p.m.

Grand Canyon

5-3-0, 0-0-0

Northern Arizona

3-2-4, 0-0-0

Grand Canyon

Northern Ariz.

Photo by: Jayden Todd

9/18/2025 11:13:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

GCU's Knack racks up 11 saves for 2nd time this season

By: Braden Dohrmann

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Grand Canyon took down Northern Arizona 1-0 in Flagstaff on Thursday night thanks to the team's fifth shutout in its season's first eight matches.

The Lopes (5-3) take their winning record into conference play, with the program's Mountain West debut coming next week. GCU has four 1-0 wins this season, proving the importance and strength of the Lopes defensive third.

"We are a back line that trusts and works for each other," GCU sophomore defender Samantha Amato said. "It helps that we have (goalkeeper) Emma (Knack) behind us. She makes incredible saves every game."

Knack, a junior, did have another bigtime performance, securing the "donut" thanks to her second 11-save performance this season (also at Oregon on Aug. 31). The two 11-save matches are the highest single-game save performances in the MW this season.

"I thought the back line and midfielders were the biggest reason for tonight's win," Knack said. "Their scramble defending and work in the set pieces were huge for us."

Five Lopes clocked a full 90 minutes of play on the evening, including Knack, Amato, senior defenders Jayden Sanders and Kennedy Chambers, as well as defensive midfielder Madison Hamm. A group effort earned the Lopes their fifth shutout win less than halfway through the season.

The Lumberjacks (3-2-4) came out swinging offensively, putting immediate pressure on the Lopes' final third. NAU earned three corner kicks within the first 10 minutes but was unable to crack the stout GCU defensive wall.

The Lopes settled in after the early onslaught and scored what ended up being the game-winning goal in the 29th minute.

Sophomore forward Ellie Johannes was the player to do it in impressive fashion. The play developed when senior Hannah Smith received a long through ball down the right side and fired a right-footed shot toward the goal. Her shot was saved and deflected backward by the goalkeeper and 10 yards behind Smith, who planted her foot in the ground and raced toward the ball before finding an open Johannes immediately.

Johannes felt a defender nearby and planted the ball in the ground to get the defender to fly by. She took a dribble and fired a left-footed banger toward the far post and into the back of the net.

The goal marked Johannes' second goal of the season, as she scored in Sunday's match at Arizona. Back-to-back games with goals for the Indiana transfer came on back-to-back games with Smith assisting her.

"Hannah has been a key part of both my goals," Johannes said. "I don't have a goal without her. I am glad that I could help our team get this win, but I am even more excited to go get our first MW win next week."

It was a matter of time before Johannes got rolling on the stat sheet. The sophomore tore it up in spring ball with GCU, leading the team in spring scores. This fall, many close calls had gone the opposite way, as Johannes easily leads the team in shots on goal with 13.

The second half never felt out of the Lopes' control with Knack securing six second-half saves. GCU has now followed up each of its three losses with a win this season.

The victory also marked head coach Chris Cissell's 65th win at GCU, making him the winningest head coach in Lopes women's soccer history. Cissell reached the mark in less than 5 1/2 seasons, a truly impressive feat.

"It is definitely a cool accomplishment to share with this team," Cissell said. "I certainly don't get to this point without my staff, support staff, administrators and most importantly my players. Any coach will tell you, 'A coach is only ever as good as the people surrounding them,' and I certainly am surrounded by an incredible soccer family. I hope every player that has been a part of any of the 65 wins these last six years is proud."

GCU closes the first chapter to its story, but a lot of meat is left on the season's bone. GCU heads into conference play in the Mountain West for the first time next week. The conference schedule consists of 10 games (five home, five away) before the top six of the 13 teams in the regular-season conference standings face off Nov. 2-8 in the MW Championship in Boise, Idaho.

The Lopes play host to San Diego State (4-2-1) and Air Force (1-4-2) next week to kick things off. Both matches will be played at 7 p.m at GCU Stadium and can be watched on MW Network.