Thrilling Second-Half Comeback Secures Victory for Lopes at San José – Grand Canyon University Athletics

The Grand Canyon Lopes pulled off a crucial victory against San José State, winning 1-0. This win places them second in the Mountain West standings, an important spot as the season progresses.

The game started slowly, with both teams locked in a 0-0 tie at halftime—the Lopes’ eighth scoreless half this season. However, right after the break, the Lopes found their rhythm. Just three minutes into the second half, they capitalized on a mistake by the Spartans. Ellie Johannes intercepted a pass and sent a perfectly timed ball to Tatum Hofstetter, who coolly slotted it into the net. That marked Hofstetter’s second match-winning goal this season.

“I wanted to find a way to win,” Hofstetter said. “Ellie set me up perfectly. I just focused and got the job done.” Hofstetter now leads the team with four goals, tying for the top in points with Johannes at nine.

Emma Knack stood tall in goal, racking up eight saves and securing her sixth shutout of the season, a notable achievement as her first in conference play. She leads the Mountain West with 87 saves and boasts an impressive .853 save percentage.

In her second straight start, senior midfielder Grace Bartlett is gaining valuable experience in her collegiate career. Junior defender Kendall Kiefer also made her debut with the Lopes after recovering from a knee injury. Kiefer, the daughter of GCU Men’s Soccer head coach George Kiefer, hadn’t played since October 2023.

While head coach Chris Cissell was away for the birth of his grandson, associate head coach Blake Reynolds took charge. “You could see our fatigue near the end,” Reynolds noted, referring to the team’s long week of travel and competition. “But the girls persevered, and I’m proud of the effort everyone put in.”

The Lopes face a challenging stretch ahead, with tough road games lined up against New Mexico and UNLV next week. As the competition heats up, every point will be crucial for their postseason hopes.

In sports, teams often rally together during challenges, and it’s no different with the Lopes. As they strive for a strong finish in the Mountain West, fans and players alike are looking forward to what’s next on this exciting journey.

For more on college sports standings and analysis, check out resources from NCAA or follow sports news from ESPN.

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