Weber State University Athletics
Weber State University
Grand Canyon
Quarnberg strike lifts Wildcats past Lopes
8/31/2015 3:01:00 AM | Women's Soccer
PHOENIX, Ariz. – Under the sweltering heat of the late summer sun in the Arizona desert, the Wildcats' forged ahead.
Freshman forward Morgan Quarnberg scored in the 82nd minute, lifting the Weber State University women's soccer team a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Grand Canyon on Sunday afternoon at GCU Soccer Field.
Junior central midfielder Chansi Crompton and sophomore outside midfielder Kelsi Tatton combined for the assist, with Quarnberg punching it home from 12 yards out toward the far post for the only goal of the match.
It was the second consecutive victory for the Wildcats, and the second straight shutout for the Weber State defense, which limited its two opponents this weekend to just four total shots in goal in 180 minutes of action.
“The girls played with a lot of toughness this weekend,” Weber State coach Tim Crompton said. “We improved in each game and were able to put together nice stretches offensively.
“Defensively, we were organized and difficult to get behind.”
Freshman goalkeeper Nikki Pittman made her third straight start in goal for the Wildcats, picking up her second career shutout. Pittman, a native of North Ogden, has a 1.33 Goals-Against Average in 270 minutes minding the net this season.
Grand Canyon, which entered the match at 2-0-0 after defeating Northern Arizona and Colorado State in its first two outings, had its only two shots on goal of the match in the opening 45 minutes as the Lopes' looked the more aggressive attacking team to start.
The Wildcats, however, came into their own in the second half and outshot Grand Canyon 9-5 – including 4-0 on frame – in the closing 45 minutes.
Weber State just narrowly missed taking the lead just moments prior to Quarnberg's goal when a cross whipped into the box to senior forward Stacy Bair, but the attempt snaked just wide as she fired back toward the far post.
Following the score, the Wildcats seized control of the contest as the Lopes began pushing forward desperately for the equalizer. Weber State had two prime chances to extend its lead in the dying moments of the match, getting in behind the Lopes defense on the angles, but settled for the one-goal road result.
The Wildcats will be back in action on Friday when they travel to Las Cruces, N.M., to take on New Mexico State, before a Sunday matchup with UTEP in El Paso, Texas.
