GCU falls to Sam Houston in defensive battle

Friday, September 5

Phoenix, Ariz.

7 p.m.

Grand Canyon

3-2-0, 0-0-0

Sam Houston

2-2-1, 0-0-0

Sam Houston

Grand Canyon

Photo by: Brayden Stenner

9/5/2025 10:30:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Photo Gallery

Lopes take 27 shots, 7 on goal without scoring

By: Braden Dohrmann

Grand Canyon dropped Friday night's home match against Sam Houston after an 80th-minute Bearkats score broke the 0-0 tie at GCU Stadium.

Without looking at the scoreboard, the stat sheet would have signaled a comfortable Lopes victory. However, despite a multitude of goal opportunities, GCU could not find pay dirt.

"We had 27 shots and only put seven on frame," Lopes head coach Chris Cissell said. "That's the story of the night. Super unfortunate result for us."

GCU (3-2) possessed the ball for 60% of the match, consistently had looks at the goal and pressured the Sam Houston back line. In fact, the Lopes put two balls in the back of the net, but both attacks by sophomore forward Ellie Johannes were called back due to offsides.

Neve Renwick, a GCU junior forward who was selected to the Mountain West Preseason Watch List, returned from an injury she sustained in training after the season opener. She led the team in shots with six in just 37 minutes of play. Renwick had a close call at the equalizer in the 88th minute, but the shot sailed over the crossbar.

Sam Houston goalkeeper Katie Bahn deflected a 34th-minute shot when Johannes had a one-on-one opportunity. Johannes also had an early second-half chance with a header in front of goal but could not get enough mustard behind the attempt. Bahn secured her first shutout of the season behind seven saves, her season high.

On GCU's side, junior goalkeeper Emma Knack grabbed four saves before allowing her first goal in four matches. Knack shut out the previous three opponents and was without one of her mainstays at center back, Kennedy Chambers, who sat out Friday night after an injury sustained during practice this week. She is expected to return soon.

Grand Canyon returns to the GCU Stadium pitch next week, hosting Idaho on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. It will be a student "March to the Match," so a large student body presence is expected.