On Sunday February 25th the UCSD women’s club soccer team took on Grand Canyon University in windy, cold conditions for their second game of spring season. The Tritons hoped to continue their success following a win yesterday against Point Loma. Despite playing a slower tempo than the previous day’s game, UCSD had several opportunities in the first half in which they pestered the GCU keeper. Off an assist from freshman Natalie Maloney, forward Makenna Gandara put the Tritons up 1-0 with a beautiful chest trap, a flick over her defender, and a thunderous volley into the back of the net. The second half offered more opportunities for the Tritons: junior Liz Yang made a tremendous run but shot just wide of the post. GCU were quick to counter, however, and their constant long balls up the field were troublesome to handle in the windy conditions. Senior Emma Schoenthal provided valuable aerial skill on both defense and offense, and the Triton backline worked tirelessly to fend off attacks. A foul in the Tritons’ half proved too much as GCU placed a dangerous ball into the box which was finished into the back of the net. Tied at 1-1, the Tritons pressed hard to pull ahead but GCU’s high defensive line caused many runs to be called offside. An excellent chip by midfielder McKenzie Kirn put forward Cynthia Ruiz-Lopez onto goal, but a charging keeper pressured the shot just wide. In the dying moments of the game, captain and center back Hannah Hurd put a ball through to outside back Kristen Wong, whose run and subsequent pass found Makenna Gandara in the box. Gandara calmly beat numerous defenders to place the ball into the back of the net for her second goal of the game and the winning goal for the Tritons. UCSD faces two more opponents next weekend when they take on UCR and NAU.