The University of Arizona soccer team secured a 5-2 win against GCU on Sunday, Sept. 14, at 11 a.m. at Murphey Field at Mulcahy Soccer Stadium. This was the Wildcats last game before entering conference play.
First half
Arizona started strong, getting several offensive opportunities early on with Marissa Arnst on the left outside. She found crosses across the box but ultimately couldn’t find someone on the connecting end. Most of the Wildcat’s shots were not on frame but still helped them to gain momentum as they pushed into the final third.
Off of a turnover on the Lope’s end, Arizona worked the ball up the field, finding Aurora Gaines just outside of the box. Gaines slipped the ball to Jessica Bedolla who struck the ball into the back of the net. Just 6 minutes into the game, Arizona led 1-0.
The Wildcats held onto possession for long periods throughout the first half, finding connecting passing amongst their midfield and defensive lines. GCU earned several free kicks from outside the box following Arizona fouls. However, none of them resulted in points.
Arizona’s defensive line did a good job in clearing the ball and rebuilding possession up the field as the Lopes started to gain their own momentum.
In the 20th minute of play, GCU tried to drop the ball to its goalie who then attempted to clear the ball. Her clearance went straight up and ultimately fell right back down near the goal line behind the Lope defense. Narissa Fults tracked the ball down and was able to cut it back inside behind GCU defense where she found Gaines on the receiving end to secure their second goal of the game, now leading 2-0.
Wildcat defense had a hand ball inside the box, resulting in a penalty kick for the Lopes. Unfortunately for GCU, its shot went just wide of the goal, missing the opportunity.
In transition off of the missed shot, the Wildcats had a close attempt on the opposing goal with a shot grazing over the cross bar. The Wildcats continued to work the ball forward and build up from the back when GCU got chances in their final third.
As the first half came to a close, Arizona remained in the lead 2-0.
Second half
A majority of the second half consisted of back and forth play for GCU and the Wildcats. Olivia Ramey, Arizona’s keeper made several saves for the team that kept possession under Wildcat feet.
GCU relentlessly tried to find the net but were unsuccessful in its attempts. On the opposite side of the field, Arizona’s Sami Baytosh had a close header that rolled off the field on the right side of the net.
With an excruciating 90 degree heat on the field, many players were running out of steam in the second half, causing through balls to roll out of play.
The Lopes started to up their offensive efforts and powered shots off at Ramey. After several attempts, Ellie Johannes placed their first goal of the match, putting GCU on the board.
In response, Ella Hatteberg knocked one in from the top of the box off of a slip-back cross from Baytosh, keeping Arizona in a comfortable two goal lead at 3-1.
GCU fought to come back, firing off shots from Johannas that Ramey made impressive saves on.
Bedolla found herself at the top of the box and laid off a shot that bounced off GCU’s keeper right into the feet of Ella Weathersby who earned her first goal of the season. This advanced the Wildcats to a 4-1 lead with limited time remaining for GCU to make a comeback.
In a GCU breakaway that put both the Lope player and Arizona defender on the ground, Caprice Chiuchiolo snatched the ball and hit a shot past Ramey to find GCU’s second goal of the game.
This 2-0 difference didn’t last long as Arizona pushed up the field and found connections inside the goal which led to Arizona’s fifth and final goal of the match from Baytosh, her second of the season.
As the game came to a close, Arizona walked away with a 5-2 victory.
Looking ahead
Arizona soccer will enter its first conference game against Iowa State University on Thursday, Sept. 18, at 5 p.m. in Ames, Iowa. It has been 2 years since the programs have faced each other.
