Rocklin, Cali. - In their GSAC opener, the Lady Firestorm controlled the entire field in an impressive 5-0 win over the hosting Jessup Warriors. Midfielder Cami Mercado contributed to three of ACU's goals, scoring two and assisting on one. Through six road games, the Firestorm own a 5-1 record and have outscored opponents 16-8.

Score: Arizona Christian 5, Jessup University 0
Records:  Arizona Christian 6-2-1 (1-0-0) | Jessup University 4-6-1 (0-1-0)
Location: Warrior Field - Rocklin, CA

STAT TRACKER

Cami Mercado - 2 goals, 1 assist, 6 shots
Grace Carney - 1 goal, 1 assist
Justyne Underwood - 1 goal, 2 shots
Jayme Notgrass - 1 goal
Bianca Cruz - 1 assist
Marcella Torres - 1 assist
Brenna Sonsini - 9 saves, shutout

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE

A part of a five-goal effort, the Lady Firestorm struck first in the 4th minute. Cami Mercado found defender Grace Carney with an expertly-played ball and Carney scored her first goal of the season and got ACU on the board early. Less than a minute later, goalkeeper Brenna Sonsini picked up her first save of the match and survived a strike from Kaylee Gillespie, the leading scorer (8 goals) for Jessup.

ACU kept the pressure firmly on the Warriors, peppering them with seven shots over the next 25 minutes to Jessup's one. Cami Mercado was responsible for four of those, but had to wait for a result on the scoreboard until the second period. It was forward Justyne Underwood who would break through the defense of Jessup goalkeeper Lilliana Fenn. In the 37th minute, Bianca Cruz delivered a ball to Underwood who sent in the Firestorm's second goal and her fifth of the year.

The Firestorm maintained the same level of intensity into the second period, holding firm to the Warriors who attempted the first three shots. Mercado's patience and persistence paid off in the 56th minute, as Carney returned the favor and assisted her teammate to increase ACU's lead to 3-0. The Firestorm back line and Sonsini fought off Jessup's fifth shot on goal soon after.

Mercado pushed past the Warriors yet again, and her sixth and final shot of the contest was hit true. She lifted the advantage to 4-0 and had her eighth goal of the season. Jessup's top scorer Gillespie fired off three more shots on target, but Sonsini did not blink. 

To top it all off, Jayme Notgrass, who had been subbed into the game in the 75th minute, made the most of her only shot of the game and delivered ACU's fifth goal. With only three shots on goal this season, Notgrass notched her second score. Safe to say, the Firestorm relished the final six minutes and started GSAC play off strong.

THOUGHTS FROM COACH GINA CORMIER

"We are really happy with our performance today," Coach Cormier said. "We started strong and maintained a high level of competitiveness for the entire game, which is something we've really been working on as a team. Jessup has a talented team, so we are glad to get a win here to start conference play. We hope to carry this momentum well into a challenging matchup with Menlo on Saturday."

NEXT MATCH

The Lady Firestorm will remain in northern California for a Saturday meeting with Menlo College. ACU seeks its third consecutive win with the first whistle at 11:00 AM. Follow along with live stats at http://naiastats.prestosports.com/sports/wsoc/2023-24/boxscores/20230930_tnw3.xml and watch the live stream at https://www.gsacsportsnetwork.com/azchristian/. 


Roll Storm!