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Kansas City
Grand Canyon
Kansas City Sweeps Season Series vs. Grand Canyon
10/20/2013 9:59:00 PM | Women's Soccer
(Phoenix, Ariz) – Nina Tzianos notched her fourth shutout of the season – and second in as many games – to lead Kansas City to a 1-0 victory over Grand Canyon in the 'Roos' final WAC road match of the regular season.
The sophomore goalkeeper did not face a shot on goal until the second half, at which point the 'Lopes (4-11-1, 3-6-1) put four attempts on target. Tzianos was up to the task each time, cementing the victory for UMKC (8-7-1, 5-3-0).
Kansas City began where it left off in the teams' previous meeting, scoring on an Alyssa Elver goal at 9'. The goal was the 'Roos' seventh in less than 100 minutes of play versus GCU. The netted attempt was Elver's fourth of the season. Freshman Emily Herndon assisted on the play for her ninth point of the campaign.
UMKC would quiet in the coming 80 minutes, but not for a lack of effort. The 'Roos dominated possession and shot attempts, outshooting the Antelopes 19-11, including seven shots on goal. GCU goalkeeper Catherine Lena was able to otherwise keep Kansas City off of the scoreboard, but Elver's goal would prove decisive in spite of her efforts.
“This was a solid win, I'm proud of the team,” said head coach Chris Cissell. “We created a lot of chances and we could have had more than a point, but we're proud of our defense and pleased to earn another shutout.”
UMKC closes with back-to-back road victories to climb to .500 as a league visitor, after starting 1-3 under such circumstances.
“To go 3-3 on the road in our first year of the WAC is quality progress for the program,” said Cissell. “Now it's on us to take care of business at home and we will be in good shape for postseason play.”
The 'Roos will return home to Durwood Stadium on Friday for a league match with Idaho. UMKC defeated the Vandals 2-1 in the previous meeting of the schools. Kansas City currently sits just one point back of Utah Valley, in third place of the WAC standings, with a pair of weekend home stands to cap the regular season.
