PHOENIX, Ariz. – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros women's soccer team opened its two-match series with the Grand Canyon University Antelopes with a 2-1 victory on Thursday at GCU Stadium.
 
The Vaqueros (7-3-2, 4-3-1 WAC) put the pressure on the Grand Canyon (2-8, 2-4 WAC) early in the match. Junior 
Anna Barkey took a pass from freshman 
Libby Beilfuss and took a shot on goal that slipped through the hands of GCU goalie 
Jordan Ferguson (1-1) and into the goal for the 1-0 lead. 
 
The Antelopes answered in the second half after a penalty in the box gifted them a penalty kick. 
Jaycee Iranshad converted on the penalty kick in the 72
ndminute to tie the match at 1-1. 
 
About seven minutes later, a GCU penalty gave UTRGV a penalty kick of its own. Junior 
Emily Zapata converted on her first-career penalty kick giving the UTRGV the 2-1 lead. Zapata's goal ended up being her 12
th career game-winning goal. 
 
Redshirt junior 
Maile Lunardi (7-3-2) tied a career-high with nine saves on the night.
 
The Vaqueros were outshot 26 to 10 and 10 to 4 on goal. 
 
UTRGV will be back in action on Saturday at 2 p.m. at GCU Stadium to wrap up its two-match series with Grand Canyon.
Support UTRGV Women's Soccer | 
Become a Fan on Facebook | 
Follow us on Twitter | 
Follow us on Instagram | 
Follow us on YouTube