California Baptist University
4-1-2, 1-0-0
Grand Canyon
4-3-1, 0-1-0
Lancers Open WAC Play With 3-1 Win Over Preseason Favorite GCU
9/17/2022 10:08:00 PM | Women's Soccer
RIVERSIDE --- California Baptist University kicked off Western Athletic Conference play Saturday night, as the Lancers claimed a 3-1 victory over the visiting Grand Canyon Lopes.
With the win, the Lancers improve to 4-1-2 (1-0 WAC) and record their fourth straight season winning the WAC opener. Meanwhile, the defending WAC champions and preseason favorites suffer their first road loss of the year and fall to 4-3-1.
"What a conference opener," said head coach Kristen St. Clair. "To open conference play vs the defending conference champs earning a 3-1 victory in front of an electric crowd of Lancer supporters shows the grit, heart and character of our young squad. All three goals by Marcella, Ari and Lourdes were pure class! Defensively, Noa and our back line were stellar. Noa consistently made big saves when we needed her too. We are very proud our team's performance. The season is a marathon; it's not a sprint, this was a great start to conference play now we need to focus on our consistency each week. We'll enjoy this tonight and begin preparing for our next opponent on Monday."Marcella Brooks was the first to get on the board for the Lancers, finding the back of the net in the 30th minute with a beautiful left-footed bender to the top corner of the net. Lourdes Bosch was able to set up her teammate for her first assist of the night.
30' | G⚽️⚽️⚽️AL‼️ Marcella Brooks, WHAT A SHOT!!!! Lourdes Bosch was in on the assist!
— California Baptist Women's Soccer (@CBUwsoccer) September 18, 2022
Lancers 1️⃣
Lopes 0️⃣#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/ELl85XVc3W
GCU was able to respond nine minutes later, though, as Leah Pirro was able to sneak one by Lancer keeper Noa Schumacher for the equalizer.
With six minutes left in the first half, the Lopes were awarded a penalty kick after a Lancer foul inside the box. Schumacher came up with a massive save to keep the game all squared and Pirro away from her second goal of the night.
Noa Schumacher comes up with her biggest save of the night!!!#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/a5FilwaGCD
— California Baptist Women's Soccer (@CBUwsoccer) September 18, 2022
The second half was a battle for possession, as both teams fired shot after shot to find the go-ahead goal.
CBU was able to gain possession at midfield, and Bosch found a wide-open Ari Coronado running down the far right side. Coronado made her move on her defender and delivered a low screaming shot to the left side of the net for the game-winner. It marks the second game-winner for Coronado and her third goal of the season.
79' | G⚽️⚽️⚽️AL‼️ Ari Coronado finds the back of the net to give the Lancers the lead!!!! Lourdes Bosch was in on her second assist of the night!
— California Baptist Women's Soccer (@CBUwsoccer) September 18, 2022
Lancers 2️⃣
Lopes 1️⃣#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/NKuW4yU7Up
After assisting on the first two goals of the night, Bosch was able to get in on the scoring with four minutes left in the game after a bending free kick just outside the box.
Schumacher tallied a season-high seven saves on the night to earn the win for the Lancers.
UP NEXT
The Lancers will end their five-game homestand with a matchup against Seattle U on Saturday, Sept. 24, at 7 p.m.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Don't forget to follow @CBUwsoccer on Twitter and Instagram to keep up to date with the season.
Team Stats
Marcella Brooks (1)
Assisted By: Lourdes Bosch
GOAL by CBU Brooks, Marcella Assist by Bosch, Lourdes.
29:33
Leah Pirro (2)
Assisted By: Jaycee Iranshad
GOAL by GCU Pirro, Leah Assist by Iranshad, Jaycee.
38:19
Ari Coronado (3)
Assisted By: Lourdes Bosch
GOAL by CBU Coronado, Ari Assist by Bosch, Lourdes.
78:10
Lourdes Bosch (2)
GOAL by CBU Bosch, Lourdes.
85:30
