Glendale, Ariz.- A record-breaking season came to a close for the Lady Firestorm, as they lost 1-0 to Menlo College in the opening round of the GSAC Women's Soccer Tournament. The sixth-seed Oaks leaned on a 33rd-minute goal from Anahi Casillas and a five-save shutout by Giorgia Melcore. Cami Mercado and Venecia Torres had the best looks for ACU, but ultimately could not punch in a score.

Score: Arizona Christian 0, Menlo College 1
Records: Arizona Christian 10-5-1 | Menlo College 4-6-2
Location: ACU Football Field - Glendale, AZ

STAT TRACKER

Cami Mercado - 3 shots, 1 on goal
Jayme Notgrass - 2 shots
Venecia Torres - 1 shot on goal
Alyssa Mercado - 1 shot on goal
Cadence Peroff - 1 shot on goal
Tayler Wonderly - 4 saves

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE

For the seventh straight game, Tayler Wonderly was the starting goalkeeper for the Firestorm, lined up opposite Menlo's All-GSAC goalkeeper Giorgia Melcore. Both goalies were active early, Wonderly making a save against Kawai Acopan and Melcore corralling a shot attempt by Grace Carney in the 5th minute. The Oaks outshot the Firestorm 5-1 over the proceeding 10 minutes of play, including one shot on target by Acopan. ACU responded with two more shots, both on goal, from the head of Alyssa Mercado and foot of Cadence Peroff.

The Firestorm and Oaks traded shots over the next few possessions, before the Oaks controlled and earned a corner kick. Acopan's first corner was knocked out of play by ACU, but her second was more fortunate. It landed in a scrum of Firestorm and Oaks, and Menlo's Ruby Doerr was able to get a touch on the ball. She found Anahi Casillas directly behind her, and Casillas fired a ball into the top right corner of the goal. With 12 minutes remaining in the first half, Casillas' first goal of the season put the Oaks on top 1-0.

Backs against the wall to begin the second period, the Firestorm had some chances to tie up the match. Justyne Underwood and Shayla alternated three total corner kicks in the 50th and 51st minute, but none were played cleanly by awaiting ACU attackers. The Firestorm would obtain four more corners in the second half. Wonderly handled her lone save of the closing 45 minutes in the 59th minute, Menlo seemingly content to play between the 20-yard lines of the field.

For ACU, their last legitimate scoring sequence came in the 79th minute, as Cadence Peroff served in an accurate corner kick that Venecia Torres struck solidly into the chest of the Oaks' Melcore. No one between her and Melcore, Torres' shot would have been the equalizer if it were directed right or left. Instead, the Firestorm quietly fell 1-0 to the Menlo Oaks in the postseason opener.

THOUGHTS FROM COACH GINA CORMIER

"Although today's game did not end in our favor, I am still very proud of our hard effort and a well played season," Coach Cormier said. "I am thankful to all of our players, especially our senior class for their commitment and leadership this season. Congrats to our Lady Firestorm for setting the bar high for many seasons to come."

NEXT UP

After a disappointing early exit in the postseason, the Lady Firestorm will have to wait till the 2024 season to hit the pitch again. However, the GSAC Women's Soccer Tournament continues at ACU Football Field, host site of the semifinals and final. On November 9th, Hope International will take on Vanguard in the first semifinal at 12:00 PM and OUAZ will match up with Menlo at 3:00 PM. Follow the action with live stats at https://acufirestorm.com/sidearmstats/wsoc/summary and watch the games at https://www.gsacsportsnetwork.com/azchristian/. 


Roll Storm!