The momentum almost lasted long enough.
 
Fortified by their first win in conference play less than 24 hours earlier, the Grand Canyon University Women's Lacrosse team couldn't sustain its early momentum against Fort Lewis College Saturday afternoon, bowing to the Skyhawks, 12-7, at GCU Soccer Stadium on the GCU Campus. The loss dropped the Lopes (5-6 overall, 1-2 WWLL) back under the .500 mark overall after they'd gotten even with an impressive 15-8 victory Friday night in Tucson over Western Women's Lacrosse League foe University of Arizona – highlighted by a 10-1 run midway through the first half that allowed the Lopes to take command.
 
Even though they entered Saturday's matchup winless on the season, the Skyhawks – an NCAA Division II program from Colorado – were still the favorite to win the matchup against the Lopes. However, the Lopes matched the Skyhawks stride for stride in the first 15 minutes, even taking the lead after one quarter thanks to back-to-back goals from Ava Loeffler in a 67-second span. The 4-3 Lopes lead wouldn't change for nearly a half-hour before Fort Lewis's Phoebe Ramirez snuck through the GCU defense to tie the score at 4-4 in the final two minutes of the first half.
 
From there, FLC's halftime adjustments ensured they wouldn't trail again, scoring four goals in the final 10 minutes of the third quarter to take command. GCU's Rachel Ware and Breelyn Caffey cut into the Skyhawks' lead with two quick goals in the first five minutes of the fourth quarter, but the Lopes' defense wore down, and Fort Lewis put it away with three more scores in the final eight minutes.
 
"It was such a great experience for us to play an NCAA D2 team that practices and trains twice as much as we do, and is more selective with their players," said Lopes' Head Coach Tracy Ramirez. "We really showed our potential and how competitive our program really is. We had some great moments Saturday – especially being ahead after the first quarter."
 
Loeffler was the Lopes' most potent offensive threat on the day, scoring twice and handing out an assist, while Ware also posted a pair of goals. Loeffler's 18 goals on the season now tie her with Shaylee Smith for the team lead.
 
The regular season schedule concludes this Friday, March 31 as the Lopes host their archrivals from Tempe, the Arizona State Sun Devils, in a key WWLL showdown. First faceoff is scheduled for 7PM at GCU Soccer Stadium, and admission is FREE.