New Year's celebrations aren't always just national.
 
Some are 'universal'.
 
Using a "universe-point loss" in its opening match of the tournament as a motivator, the Grand Canyon University Women's Ultimate team ran the table from there, exacting revenge for the earlier defeat to archrival Arizona State University by the same score and same fashion, 9-8 at universe point, in the finals of New Year Fest at Reach 11 Sports Complex in Phoenix. It's the first time in four years of participating that the Lopes took home the tournament trophy after reaching the championship game the previous two seasons but falling short of a title.
 
"In the past two years, we have lost in the championship game in universe," said Lopes' Student Leader Myla Pryor. "To then finally win (also in universe) was a full circle moment for us."
 
The other four tournament teams were barely off the highway Saturday morning before the two local teams set the early tone as to how even their matchup was going to be. The first-round pool-play game was a seesaw battle for the duration, with the Sun Devils taking universe point for the 9-8 victory. Undaunted, the Lopes mowed through the rest of the pool-play round, putting up 11 points in all four ensuing matchups to easily down Northern Arizona University, the University of Denver, the University of Arizona (an 11-0 shutout) and defending champion San Diego State University, who the Lopes held to just five points.
 
The SDSU win punched the Lopes' ticket straight to Sunday's semifinals, which pitted them against NAU, who easily handled Denver in the quarters. The 11-point barrier Saturday was a warmup for the Lopes, who grabbed an early lead and never looked back in downing the Lumberjacks, 12-6. Waiting for the Lopes in the final was ASU, who had also suffered just a single loss in pool play (to the Aztecs), but avenged that loss with a 9-7 win over SDSU in the other semifinal. What played out was another intense chapter in the Lopes' growing rivalry with the Devils that finally resulted in GCU holding the trophy at the end.
 
"ASU is consistently our best competitor in the Desert section, so this win felt extra satisfying," said Pryor. "Winning the tournament both encouraged and motivated our team. Every player contributed to this win."
 
Pryor led a balanced effort as the team's top scorer, but had plenty of help from teammates Melo Stablein, Kaylee Glazier, and Annabelle Feather. Lopes' senior Kaitlyn Cotter was the team's assist leader, but wound up the hero, scoring the gamewinner on an assist from Stablein.
 
"I was so proud of how our team played hard, worked together, and sought to glorify the Lord," said Pryor. "This is a special team, and I am confident that this win will be just a small part of what God has in store for the program."