Despite having a six-match scoreless streak snapped midway through the first half, the Vandals still could not end their losing streak as they fell to Grand Canyon 2-1 on Friday night in Phoenix.
The scoreless streak was ended in the 27th minute on a GCU own goal when sophomore defender Gabby Leong forced a bad play by a Lopes defender near the net.
After taking the 1-0 lead, ending a scoreless streak of more than 500 minutes, dating back to the teams’ season opening heartbreaker to Seattle U, Idaho surrendered two goals in the second half by Maria Monterroso. Despite valiant efforts by the Vandal attack late, Idaho couldn’t earn the win. The loss dropped Idaho to 0-8 on the season and improved the previously winless Grand Canyon to 1-5-1 on the season.
“When the game got tight and the equalizer goal was shot, we just weren’t able to get the second goal to put the game away,” Idaho coach Derek Pittman said. “We need to work on the pressure of leading the match late in the second half.”
Sophomore goalkeeper Torell Stewart recorded another solid performance on Friday night, recording 10 saves on the night. She has recorded saves 26 in her last three games and has appeared to have recovered her early season struggles.
In total, the Lopes took 31 shots to the Vandals total of eight. Fourteen of the goals came from Cassie Beckwith and Brylee Hawkins who recorded seven shots each. For the Vandals sophomore forward Kavita Battan and sophomore midfielder Alyssa Lloyd each took two shots. Sophomore midfielder Elexis Schlossarek, sophomore forward Alyssa Pease, freshman forward Josilyn Daggs and freshman forward Olivia Baggerly also took shots for Idaho.
Despite the loss, the Vandals can still use this as something to build on.
“We did things well for portions of the game,” Pittman said, “for moments we fought really hard, we were dangerous on the attack and set pieces came together.”
But just because of the improved play on both sides of the field, the team needs to do more to be successful in these tight situations, Pittman said.
Josh Gamez can be reached at [email protected]