Two games. Two shutouts.
Two back-to-back Lopes' wins.
In the opening weekend for club sports, two separate Grand Canyon University Women's Club Soccer squads hit the field for competition. Friday night, GCU Purple defeated Arizona Christian University, 3-0, at Prescott Field on GCU's Campus. 24 hours later on the same field, GCU Black secured a 2-0 victory over University of New Mexico.
Friday: GCU Purple 3, ACU 0
GCU Purple held the honor of debuting the 2021-22 season for GCU Club Sports, and they certainly did not squander the opportunity.
"They were definitely nervous and anxious," said Lopes' Head Coach Hannah Bolton. "Everyone was just excited to play again."
With only two practices as a team under their belts, the nerves were warranted.
"We were fortunate to practice the morning before the game and work on some of our goals," said Bolton. "That was only the second practice together. All the girls come from different states and clubs, so we are sort of a melting pot of different soccer identities, but it all came together well."
The Lopes kicked off the dust and any hesitations they may have had. Not only did they force Arizona Christian University to remain goalless, they only allowed the Firestorm to have a single shot on goal the entire 90-minute match.
GCU dominated on the offensive side of the ball as well. Lopes' sophomore Preslee Rodriguez jumpstarted the offensive success with a header goal early in the first half.
Rodriguez's goal was accompanied by two additional goals in the second half by the Lopes' freshman pair of Jenna Smith and Izzy Hunter.
"There is a lot of depth to this team," said Bolton. "So, I am excited to see how we can use all the different players strengths going forward this season."
Saturday: GCU Black 2, UNM 0
GCU Black arrived at their match with an agenda.
"A lot of the girls on GCU Black cheered on GCU Purple at Friday night's game," said Bolton. "Now finally being able to step onto the field themselves, they were extremely excited."
The squad was hungry for their own victory, and it showed as they came out firing with a handful of shots on goal in the first few minutes of the game.
"They did a really good job of staying patient and waiting for the right opportunities," said Bolton. "When we did lose control of the ball, our transition to win it back was really good."
The Lopes' patience finally paid off when sophomore Dahlia Alonso found the back of the net midway through the first half.
GCU's energy as they entered the second half was already confident, but nothing could compare to the momentum they gained when Lopes' sophomore Katelyn Laccinole put away the second goal for the night.
Laccinole found herself in the perfect position when a ball was crossed high and in front of the net. She flipped backwards into the air, and scissor-kicked the ball into the goal, completing a full body rotation before landing. The fans and players erupted into cheers of astonishment.
Laccinole's goal sealed the deal for the 2-0 victory, and Bolton could not have been prouder of the team's efforts.
"Seeing them come out and execute the concepts that we chalked up on the whiteboard before the game was really impressive," said Bolton. "They were focusing on staying organized and pushing the defensive concepts, and it showed."
