Match Sixteen
NM State (9-4-3, 6-2-2 WAC) vs. Grand Canyon (9-6-2, 5-4-1 WAC)
Thursday, Oct. 27 | 8:00 p.m. (MT) | GCU Stadium | Phoenix, Ariz.
Final: NM State 2, Grand Canyon 1
BOX SCORE
PHOENIX, Ariz. – It was quite the night for NM State women's soccer. Loma McNeese scored her ninth goal and fifth assist of the season, Bianca Chacon recorded her fifth goal of the year and sixth assist, and Makenna Gottschalk set a new season high in saves with eight for the night.
They did this all while keeping one of the most prolific scoring threats in the country scoreless for over 80 minutes. That is GCUs Gianna Gourley who leads the conference in goals with 14. She came into the night with 13, but found the net with a penalty kick, which was awarded to the Lopes following a questionable call by the head official.
None the less, the Aggies were able to contain the dangerous Lopes offense and walk away with another conference victory.
SCORING SUMMARY | Box Score
17' | A week off wasn't enough to cool down Loma McNeese. She added another goal to her impressive season total bringing her to eight on the season. The score came off an Aggie corner - the fourth of the night for the Aggies. Bianca Chacon took the kick and put it right onto McNeese who headed the ball between two defenders for the go-ahead goal.
67' | The Aggies offense was pressing hard the entire match. Loma McNeese was once again looking to make something happen as she took the ball up the middle towards the box. She bounced the pass out right for Bianca Chacon who fired a laser towards the net and secured the goal. Aggies led the lopes 2-0.
80' | After a physical play by Landy Williams in the box. The Lopes were set up with a penalty kick that would send the conference leader in goals, Gianna Gourley to the box for a one-on-one matchup against Makenna Gottschalk. Gourley fired a shot to the right of Gottschalk and secured her 14th score of the season. Aggies still led 2-1.
PERFORMANCES / STATS OF NOTE
- With the win, NM State moves to 9-4-3 overall and 6-2-2 in WAC play.
- The team also adds three points to their conference total bringing them to 20 bringing them to a tie for third place in the WAC with Utah Tech.
- Despite the Aggies allowing a season high 24 shots (nine on goal) in the match. Grand Canyon was still only able to muster up one goal against this bruising Aggies defense.
- The Aggies only took ten shots (five on goal).
- The Lopes and Aggies each had five corner kicks for the match.
- The Aggies had 15 fouls to the Lopes 13.
- Loma McNeese scored her team leading ninth goal of the season tying her with Audriana Chavez (2017) for fourth place in school history for the single most goals scored in a season.
- McNeese also added her fifth assist of the season.
- Bianca Chacon scored her fifth goal and sixth assist of the year.
- Makenna Gottschalk kept the Lopes offense in check with eight saves setting a new season high. She now has 67 saves on the season and 211 for her career.
- Four yellow cards were handed out during the match: Thalia Chaverria (38'), Leah Pirro (47'), GCU bench (48'), NM State bench (85').
NEXT UP
NM State soccer closes out their regular season with one more road trip out west to take on the Lancers of California Baptist. Kickoff for that match is schedules for 8 p.m. (MT) from Riverside, Calif. This is one of the final games of the day, so the team will know if they will head to Seattle for the WAC tournament, and who they will play following the conclusion of the match.
For complete coverage of New Mexico State women's soccer, follow us on Twitter (@NMStateWSOC), Instagram (@NMStateWSOC) and like us on Facebook (NM State Women's Soccer).
++NM State +
