Women's Soccer Advances to WAC Semifinals After 2-0 Win Over Grand Canyon

Wednesday, November 6

Seattle, Wash.

7:00 PM PST

Kansas City

13-3-4, 4-2-2

Grand Canyon University

4-14-1, 3-5-0

Grand Canyon

Kansas City

Women's Soccer Advances to WAC Semifinals After 2-0 Win Over Grand Canyon

11/6/2019 10:27:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Box Score

SEATTLE, Wash. -- Claire Larson made sure the Kansas City Women's Soccer (13-3-4) team didn't have to resort to late-game drama in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) quarterfinals tonight against Grand Canyon (4-14-1). The senior midfielder got behind the Lopes' defense in the 21st minute and scooted the ball past All-WAC First Team goalkeeper Lauren Garthwaite for the game-winner in the 2-0 victory at Championship Field. The tournament is hosted by top seed Seattle U.

The Roos advance to the WAC semifinals against No. 2 seed Utah Valley on Friday at 9 p.m. CT. The Wolverines had a quarterfinal bye as a top-two seed. Kansas City will be competing in its seventh-straight semifinal round where it holds a 4-2 all-time record.

"I'm just extremely proud of the overall team effort and I thought we played well defensively," said head coach Chris Cissell. "I thought we competed well in the midfield and we finished two really good chances tonight."

The victory was the fifth-straight for the Roos on the season as the squad had to overcome a slow conference start. Four games into WAC play, Kansas City was 0-2-2. Since then, the Blue and White has gone 5-0 and out-scored those opponents by a combined 11-1 margin.

Tonight, Amanda Sampson iced away the game in the 78th minute as she dribbled around several GCU defenders in the top of the box and her laser put the Roos up 2-0. It was her third goal on the year, all coming within the past four matches.

The Roo defense again was stout tonight and displayed its dominance just like it has all year long. Anchored by senior goalkeeper Erin Roth and three-time All-WAC First Team defender Abby Small, the unit claimed its 10th shutout this year and its 17th game (in 20 overall) that the opponent has been limited to one-or-fewer goals.

With two saves, Roth posted her eighth clean sheet of the year and it was her fourth in the last five matches.

The offense held its own as well, putting up 19 shots overall and six on net. Sampson (7) and Childers (4) led the way on the attack.

Quick Hitters

All-WAC First Team midfielder Rylan Childers was credited with the assist, which gave her 10 on the season and 24 in her career. Last Saturday, she established the school's career assists mark playing in her sophomore season.
The five-game win streak is a season-long and the best stretch since a seven-gamer last season during the Roos' regular-season championship.
The meeting with Utah Valley in the WAC semifinals will be the fifth such match-up in the round of four. The Roos are 3-1 in four previous meetings in the WAC postseason.
In its 4-2 all-time semifinal record, the Roos hold a 10-3 scoring advantage.