CHULA VISTA, Calif. – Grand Canyon scored a goal in the 64th minute and made it hold up for a 1-0 women's soccer victory over UC San Diego in an exhibition contest Saturday morning at Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center. No official statistics were kept for the match, which was played in front of about 100 supporters.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The match was scoreless at the half. Both teams held possession for a good portion of the half, but the 'Lopes had the only real scoring chance about ten minutes in. UC San Diego goalkeeper Keara Fitzgerald made a save by pushing the ball over the top of the net, leading to a GCU corner. The Tritons' defense held strong and averted further trouble.
 
In the second half, Grand Canyon got on the board in the 64th minute when junior Jaycee Iranshad bent in a shot from about 25 yards out that found the back of the net to give the 'Lopes the lead.
 
The Tritons had a good scoring chance in the 82nd minute when senior Ava D'Arcangelo re-directed a header on frame, but her shot was stopped and Grand Canyon held on for the victory.
 
QUOTABLE
"Our messaging going into it was this would be a more accelerated training session," said UC San Diego head coach Kristin Jones. "We were able to see players going up against good opposition. The level of the exhibition was good, and every single player that went on for us did something well, but at the same time, we were able to see where the deficiencies are on an individual level."
 
TRITON TIDBITS

• Temperature at game time was 82 degrees with 58% humidity.
• The 'Lopes had three corner kicks and the Tritons did not earn any.
• Grand Canyon was picked to repeat as Western Athletic Conference champions. The Big West preseason poll will be announced on Monday.
• Fitzgerald unofficially made five saves for UC San Diego.

 
UP NEXT
The Tritons open their 2022 campaign on Thursday when UC San Diego welcomes Idaho to Triton Soccer Stadium. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. and admission to all Triton home games is free. For those who cannot attend, the contest will be broadcast on ESPN+ with Steve Quis and Natasha Belak-Berger calling the action.
 
About UC San Diego Athletics
After two decades as one of the most successful programs in NCAA Division II, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program began a new era in 2020 as a member of the Big West Conference in NCAA Division I. The 23-sport Tritons earned 30 team and nearly 150 individual national championships during its time in Divisions II and III and helped guide 1,400 scholar-athletes to All-America honors. A total of 83 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 38 have earned prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships. UC San Diego scholar-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world's preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 91 percent, one of the highest rates among institutions at all divisions.