The Grand Canyon University women's soccer team (6-9-1, 5-3-0) used a season-high four goals to notch its fifth Western Athletic Conference (WAC) victory Sunday, downing Texas-Pan American (8-7-4, 2-6-1), 4-1, in Canyon's home finale at GCU Soccer Field. Maria Monterroso netted her team-leading seventh and eighth goals of the season to lift the Antelopes to their fifth victory in their last six games.

"Another great win for us," said head coach Stevie Gill. "We created an enormous amount of chances, but could not find the back of the net in the first half. We came out in the second half with a completely different mindset and were a far superior team. Their goalkeeper made some excellent saves or it would have been a much higher score."

Monterroso broke open a scoreless game in the final 10 seconds of the first half, driving a ball into the back of the net to give the Lopes a 1-0 lead heading into intermission. Taylor Layton delivered a cross on the play and was credited with the assist.

Grand Canyon outshot the visiting Broncs 18-6 in the opening half and keeper Blakely Fraasch kept UTPA off the board, grabbing four saves in the first 45 minutes of action.

Brylee Hawkins opened the scoring in the second half with her first goal of the season, sending a long free kick into the back of the net in the 49^th minute to give GCU a 2-0 advantage.

Monterroso tacked on Canyon's third goal of the game in the 69^th minute, putting a ball in the upper left corner of the goal to make the score 3-0 in favor of the Lopes.

UTPA's Hadlie Tucker cut into the GCU lead in the 72^nd minute, scoring on a penalty kick to put the score at 3-1.

Layton added an insurance goal in the 82^nd minute, using a great cross from Shannon Costello to tally her first goal of the season and make the score 4-1.

Monterroso put seven shots on goal in the matinee and Milla Benedetti added another three, while Cassie Beckwith and Hawkins each put a pair on target. Fraasch picked up her fifth win of the season in goal, recording seven saves in goal.

"It was a nice way to finish our home schedule this year with a 4-1 win," said Gill. "Brylee Hawkins was outstanding at the back and Taylor Layton worked tirelessly in the midfield and scored a brilliant goal. Now we set our sights on Cal State Bakersfield for our final two games of the season."

The Lopes will conclude their season with a pair of conference road games at Bakersfield next week. GCU will play its postponed Sept. 27 match on Thursday (Oct. 30) at 7 p.m. in Bakersfield and then will play the 'Runners again on Saturday night, with kickoff slated for 7 p.m. in that contest. Fans can find more information on the women's soccer season at www.gculopes.com.

GCU 4, UTPA 1
 

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