FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The UIC women's soccer team (1-5-2) closed out competition at the NAU Mountain Classic on Sunday with an unfortunate 4-0 loss to Grand Canyon (3-5-0) at Lumberjack Stadium.
 
The Flames were limited to six shots in the match, as they all came in the first half of play. Rebeca Pallo put both of her attempts on goal, as Jasmin Carrera (2), Emily Valentine and Emily Wauer rounded out the shot total. The Lopes were able to establish 16 shots in the games and put 10 on goal.
 
Kelly Fritz earned the start and played 71 minutes in goal while making five saves before Annie DiCanio came in to finish the game and make one stop.
 
In just the fifth minute of play, GCU was tripped up in the box and was awarded a penalty kick, which Anyssa DeVera converted for the 1-0 lead. The Lopes would continue to sporadically get off shot attempts with seven more in the half, forcing Fritz to make two stops.
 
After battling for possession in the midfield, the Flames put on the pressure starting in the 24th minute when Valentine sent a shot high. Pallo followed two minutes later with a point-blank look that was saved and then Carrera had back-to-back chances blocked.
 
Wauer had a shot blocked in the 40th minute and Pallo had another great chance two minutes later on a feed from Wauer but the keeper came up with the save.
 
With just seconds to go in the first half, Carrera was issued a red card, forcing UIC to go the rest of the game down a player.
 
GCU came out in the second half and increased its lead to 2-0 in the 52nd minute when Mila Benedetti shot from 18 yards out and used the crossbar to bounce the ball in the back of the net. The Lops continued their attack and Fritz was needed to make a save two minutes later.
 
Despite the Flames gaining possession for the following five minutes, GCU went ahead 3-0 as it was awarded a corner kick that was sent in and gloved down by Fritz before Brylee Hawkins followed through for the goal.
 
The attack remained in favor of the Lopes going forward and McKenzie Cook sent the ball in the back of the net in the 77th minute on a free kick from 40 yards out.
 
The Flames will now head back to the Midwest and prepare for their Horizon League opener Friday with a 7 p.m. CT kickoff against Milwaukee on the road at Engelmann Stadium.