GCU Women's Lacrosse is willing to earn its respect.

Even after last season's Western Women's Lacrosse League title and fourth-place national finish in Women's Collegiate Lacrosse Association Division II, the Lopes were ranked eighth in WCLA II heading into the Desert Lacrosse Tournament.

Four wins in that weekend tournament caused some re-evaluation about GCU's stature in women's lacrosse.

The Lopes jumped to a No. 2 national ranking after knocking off second-ranked Concordia, 10-6, for the Eagles' only loss of the season. Concordia is expected to be GCU's biggest threat to defending its WWLL crown but the Lopes won draw controls and possession time.

While in Las Vegas, GCU also posted tourney wins against No. 14 Cal State San Marcos (15-5), Nevada (14-11) and Northern Arizona (12-4).

"They really pulled it together," Lopes first-year women's lacrosse coach Tracy Gallihugh said. "They went off each other's strengths and really worked together. Their points and stats were distributed over a bunch of players."

Opponents are only averaging 6.7 goals per game against the Lopes, who are 6-0 after early-season wins against San Jose State and Stanford. During the four tournament games, sophomore goalkeeper Caitlin Paine made 22 saves while sophomore midfielder Bri Healy caused 29 turnovers, including 10 against NAU. Sophomore midfielder Lexi Ortt led the Lopes' tournament scoring with 15 goals, including three against Concordia, while junior attacker Kelsey Wood added 11 goals.

Wood took the WCLA lead in goals and Healy is the conference leader in assists.

The Lopes next play at Cal State Fullerton on Saturday before heading to Long Beach State for a Sunday game.