Every Tuesday on AZKicksit.com, we will recap the past week's collegiate action. On Thursday's we will provide a weekend preview for all the programs in the state.
By Garrett Cleverly
Grand Canyon University Men – Record: 1-2-1 (1st in WAC)
GCU men were down in the Sunshine State this past weekend for matches against Jacksonville on Thursday and Stetson on Sunday. Against Jacksonville, GCU went down a goal in the 3rd minute when a misplayed ball by a defender allowed a Jacksonville player a free shot on net. Jacksonville doubled their lead in the 77th minute. GCU were able to cut in the lead in half when Gerrit Thomes converted an Ante Spajic cross. GCU pushed for another goal, but were exposed defensively when they pushed players up allowing Jacksonville to grab a late goal and a 3-1 victory. GCU had chances throughout the match and just could not finish. They outshot their opponents 21-11.
On Sunday, GCU played a double OT game against Stetson. GCU went down early again when a Stetson forward beat the GCU 'keeper in a one-v-one. The Lopes fought back and scored two goals in quick succession. Jose Rodriguez Nieblas scored his first goal this season when he beat the Stetson 'keeper near post. 21 seconds later, GCU grabbed the lead when Kyle Ciliento scored his team leading third goal on the season when he finished far post from a Ben Barkoff through ball. Stetson was able to score an equalizer in the 73rd minute which helped them send the match into OT. The Lopes came out firing in OT and were stonewalled by the impressive Stetson 'keeper who preserved the 2-2 draw. Up next for GCU is a road match against Stanford on Friday, August 13th; kickoff is 7:00 p.m. PST.
University of Arizona Women – Record: 3-0-3 (7th in Pac-12 Conference)
Arizona remains as one of five unbeaten teams in the Pac-12 Conference after another long weekend. The Wildcats traveled up to Phoenix for the Sun Devil Classic and squared off against Kansas on Friday. After trailing for over 75 minutes, Alexandra Doller scored the equalizing goal when she headed in an Ana-Maria Montoya cross. Arizona then went into their second consecutive overtime and held on for a 1-1 draw.
In the final match of the SDC on Sunday, the Wildcats were once again able to find a late equalizer; this time against Illinois. The Fighting Illini took the lead in the 64th minute when a shot from the 18 slipped through the Wildcats 'keeper hands. Arizona was on the fortunate endof a penalty call against Illinois inside the box. Jazmin Ponce stepped up and scored the equalizer with just over 8 minutes remaining. Arizona held on for another 1-1 draw.
Arizona State University Women – Record: 4-1-0 (6th in Pac-12 Conference)
Arizona State's offense found its form this past weekend in the Sun Devil Classic scoring 8 goals in two games. On Friday against Illinois, the Devils jumped out to an early lead when Devin Marshall headed in a cross from Holland Crook in the 33rd minute. Cali Farquharson doubled ASU's lead just moments into the second half when she converted a shot from the 18. Illinois fought back and equalized twice only to see ASU retake the lead in the 71st minute when Marshall scored her second goal in the match from a Mckenzie Grossman pass. Illinois tied up the game again in the 80th minute, which sent the game into OT. With just under 4 minutes remaining in the second overtime, Farquharson scored her second goal in the match when she rounded the 'keeper, giving ASU a 4-3 win.
In the final match of the SDC against Kansas, ASU jumped out to an early lead when Marshall headed in a Crook cross. The Devils doubled their lead in the second half when Farguharson scored her 7th goal on the season in the 50th minute. Blair Alderson scored her first goal of the season in the 52nd minute and Marshall closed out the scoring in the 77th minute, giving ASU a 4-0 win.
Marshall was named Pac-12 Women's Soccer Player of the Week on Tuesday.
Grand Canyon University Women – Record: 1-4-0 (5th in WAC)
The Lopes were in Colorado this past weekend for matches against Colorado State on Friday and Air Force on Sunday and returned home with mixed results. GCU defeated Colorado State on Friday 1-0, giving them their first ever Division I win. The lone goal was from Cassie Beckwith who headed in a Riley Richardson cross.
On Sunday, GCU lost their 4th match of the season when Air Force scored in 62nd minute to give them a 1-0 win. GCU goalkeeper Cat Lena was solid in net recording a season high 6 saves. GCU travel up to NAU on Friday for a instate rivalry; kickoff at 7:30 p.m. PST and can be watched on Fox Sports AZ Plus.
Northern Arizona University – Record: 3-0-2 (1st in Big Sky Conference)
NAU only had one match scheduled over the weekend and played UNLV to a scoreless OT draw on Sunday. NAU host GCU on Friday with kickoff at 7:30 p.m. PST. Fans can watch the game on Fox Sports AZ Plus.
Embry-Riddle Men – Record: 1-0-0 (3rd in Cal Pac Conference)
The Eagles kicked off the 2013 season with a 4-0 win over Simpson University on Wednesday night. Keldon Hatch scored the first two goals for Embry-Riddle. Ryan Holt and Isaac Sanchez added a goal apiece; both assisted by Jacob Brech.
Embry-Riddle Women – Record: 1-1-0 (2nd in Cal Pac Conference)
The lady Eagles dropped their opening game of the 2013 season 2-5 on Friday, August 31st. They took their frustration out on Simpson University and defeated them 5-0 on Wednesday night.
Arizona Christian University Men – Record: 4-1-0 (2nd in Golden State Athletic Conference)
The 2013 Arizona Christian Men are off to its best start in program history and the offense, which has been the driving force behind the early season success, shows no signs of slowing down. On Thursday, ACU scored a program best 10 goals in a victory over California Institute of Technology. ACU goals: (4) Henzel Rodriguez, (3) Carlos Villa, Milos Dragic, Trevor Cates, Josh Love.
On Saturday, ACU recorded their second victory over the weekend when they defeat Occidental College, 2-1.
Arizona Christian University Women – Record: 1-3-0 (8th in Golden State Athletic Conference)
ACU women were off this past week.
ACCAC – Arizona Community College Men
Phoenix College, Yavapai and Arizona Western round out the top 3 in the ACCAC conference standings.
Phoenix College defeated MCC 2-0 on Thursday and defeated South Mountain Community College 4-0 on Saturday.
Yavapai defeated Paradise Valley Community College 9-1 on Thursday and traveled to California for a 3-0 win over College of the Desert on Saturday.
Arizona Western defeated Gateway 7-0 on Thursday and lost to Chandler Gilbert 3-2 on Saturday.
For a more in depth look into the ACCAC Men click here.
ACCAC – Arizona Community College Women
Paradise Valley Community College and Chandler-Gilbert wound out the top two spots in the ACCAC with four teams battling for the third spot.
PVCC defeated Cochise 4-0 on Thursday and defeated Glendale 2-1 in OT.
Chandler-Gilbert defeated SCC 2-1 in OT on Thursday and lost to Arizona Western 2-1 in OT on Saturday.