(Phoenix, AZ) The last time the GCU Soccer Team took the field in a regular season game was the 2019 WAC Tournament 450 days ago. Since then, the Lopes hired a new coach Chris Cissell.
GCU warmed up in an exhibition whitewash 12-1 over the outmatched Benedictine Catholic University in Mesa.
This was the season opener for both schools. Like the Antelopes, Arizona lasts played in the NCAA Tournament way back on November 22, 2019 and returned thirteen players off that squad.
Needless to say, both teams were chomping at the bit to get back to real game action.
Transfer Marleen Schimmer will play her first game for GCU after coming from cross-town Arizona State.
Early on, both teams were getting the feel of the other until the 18:52 mark. GCU had a golden opportunity when Lopes Dani Babb had a shot on goal but goalie Arizona’s Hope Hisey denied the score.
The Antelopes struck first at 30:41 with a goal by Jaycee Iranshad with the nice assist from Sandra Hill. 1-0 GCU.
The Wildcats got fortunate at the 34:39 mark when a ricochet “own goal” shot went off a GCU player to tie the score at 1-1.
Arizona Freshman Forward Quincy Bonds received a yellow card at the 30:00 mark in the first half.
The second half began with both teams trying to establish themselves and the play became very physical with tackles and takedowns.
The Wildcats scored off a corner kick at the 62:01 mark when Ava McCray scored assisted by Jill Aguilera. Cats up 2-1.
A nice save by Lopes goalie Hayden Wallace off a shot by Aguilera. Moments later Camryn Larson nearly got GCU even but Arizona’s Hope Hisey made a spectacular save.
Zona scored again at 70:35 when Aguilera went top left corner to extend the Cats lead 3-1.
The Wildcats kept the pressure on with a shot that was saved by Wallace at 73:56.
Arizona had a penalty kick that bounced off he right goal standard and was put back in by Jada Talley and assisted by Grace Santos.
Cats finished and won a very physical battle with the Lopes 4-1.
The experience of this year’s Arizona team was showing as the starters were allowed to come back with eligibility from the Covid crisis.
Arizona kept the ball in their end of the field for most of the time and wore down the Antelope defense.
This matchup will help both teams going forward, and the Lopes will take this game into the film room and learn with two more in-state rival universities on deck in the coming week.
