The good things a win streak can do.
After holding steady defensively for a half against vaunted BYU before fading late in their home opener four weeks ago, the Grand Canyon University Women's Rugby team quickly righted the ship in dominating fashion, sweeping their first road trip of the season and bringing the dominant play back home. Thanks to lopsided 1st halves, the Lopes breezed to comfortable 98-0 shutout at home over the University of Arizona this past Saturday; built a 29-0 halftime edge two weekends ago in San Diego, California en route to a 43-0 shutout of University of California-San Diego; and ran away early in a 36-5 triumph at archrival Arizona State University three weeks ago.
Saturday: GCU 98, Arizona 0
At the two-minute mark of Saturday's game, GCU freshman fullback Maya Littell got the scoring started, breaking a handful of tackles en route to the try zone and beginning a run of 36 unanswered GCU points in the first half. Any resistance the Wildcats' defense offered in the first half diminished in the second, allowing the Lopes to add 62 more points and complete the shutout.
GCU had a season-high 11 different players contribute tries in the match, with flyhalf Bianca Curtis and center Samantha Garcia both contributing a handful of two-point conversions as well.
February 4: GCU 43, UC-San Diego 0
The Lopes wasted no time ending the suspense of who would overtake the other, since they exploded for 29 1st-half point, including a pair of tries from Zariah Fa'aopega, and singles from Maleah Stewart, Cynthia Fonoimoana and Sofia Rico. Chloe Geryol got into the act in the second half, tacking on a pair of tries herself, while Curtis and Garcia combined to go 4-for-7 on two-point conversions in helping pitch the shutout.
January 28: GCU 36, ASU 5
The win over their archrivals from Tempe helped set the current tone: big first halves to help the team coast after halftime. Syanne Callier helped the Lopes get breathing room with back-to-back tries early on, and once Kaitlyn Pool, Angel Lucero and Kloe Williams followed suit, the rout was on. Curtis was nearly perfect with her foot, going 4-for-5 on two-point conversions, and even adding an extra three via a penalty kick.
The Lopes will now take their three-game winning streak into their final home matchup of the season, and they will get the full spotlight of GCU Soccer Stadium for the venue when they host the Matadors of California State University Northridge on Sunday, February 26. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 AM, and admission is FREE.
