PHOENIX—Grand Canyon was awarded a penalty kick in the 14th minute and that proved to be the difference as Utah Valley played a woman down for 77 minutes and only gave up a PK in a 1-0 setback to the 'Lopes on Saturday afternoon at GCU Stadium in Phoenix.
 
With the loss, Utah Valley falls to 2-2-1 overall and 1-1-0 in WAC play. The win is the first of the season for Grand Canyon, which improves to 1-5-0 overall and 1-1-0 in league action.
 
GCU's Marleen Schimmer recived a pass on a breakaway and sent a shot in that missed while colliding with UVU keeper Isabel Jones-Dawe. The official awarded Schimmer a penalty kick and gave Jones-Dawe a yellow card, followed by a red, sending the UVU keeper out of the match and forcing the Wolverines to play with only 10 players. Schimmer then converted on the PK to give the Lopes what would prove to be the game winner.
 
"I am really proud of how our team handled the adversity of the situation today," said Utah Valley head coach Chris Lemay. "To out possess a team playing a player down for 77 minutes and generate opportunities that we did speaks to the quality of our group. We are disappointed with the result and the fact that we didn't finish, but there is a lot more good than bad that we learned about our team this afternoon. We are looking forward to a homestand next weekend and feel confident that we will be in form."
 
The 'Lopes just edged UVU on shots, 18-17. The two teams each had seven shots on frame. The Wolverines had 13 corner kicks to GCU's three. Utah Valley was called offsides six times while GCU was called once.
 
Sadie Brockbank led the Wolverines with six shots, including three on goal. Heather Stainbrook and Amber Trip each had three shots, while Nicole Olanda had two.
 
Jones-Dawe played the first 13 minutes of the game in the box, collecting one save. Kylie Tuimaualuga came in and played 77 minutes with five saves.
 
Utah Valley will continue WAC play on Feb. 25 and 27 against New Mexico State at the Zions Bank RSL Outdoor/Indoor Stadium in Herriman, Utah.