PHOENIX – The Colorado College Tigers and Grand Canyon University Lopes battled to a scoreless draw Sunday at GCU Soccer Stadium. Despite outshooting the Lopes 7-4 in the first half and maintaining a strong defensive presence, the Tigers were unable to find the back of the net.
The tie concludes the regular season road schedule for Colorado College,leaving them with a record of 7-8-4 overall. The Tigers will conclude the regular season Thursday, oct. 30, at 6 p.m. MT against Air Force in the annual City For champions Cup at Weidner Field, seeking to defend their 2-1 victory from last season and retain the trophy.
“We felt like we did well to control parts of the game in both halves and created some good looks, but just couldn’t get a goal,” said head coach Kerry Sanchez. “Our defence and keeper were strong inside our box, defending their crosses and limiting their shots. We are disappointed that we did not find a way to win.”
Freshman Sophia Mayne registered the first shot of the game in the 6th minute, saved by GCU goalkeeper Emma Knack. Senior Gracie Huebner followed with a shot four minutes later, also stopped by Knack. Junior Tyler Rose continued the offensive pressure with a shot in the 17th minute, again denied by a save.Senior Emily Hitt added the final shot on goal of the first half in the 23rd minute.
After halftime,sophomore Dayleigh Bos tested new Lopes’ goalkeeper taylor Gardner with a shot from outside the box,but Gardner made the save. Junior Nadia Cassamajor added a shot-on-goal in the 64th minute, also saved by Gardner. The Lopes’ offense then took control for the remaining 26 minutes, with three shots on frame saved by the Tigers’ goalkeeper.
GCU was called for offside nine times compared to CC’s one.The tigers took five corner kicks to the Lopes’ four. Mayne and Schoenbeck each finished with two shots,second most on the team.
