Box score
Carson, CA – Cal State Dominguez Hills newcomer Melanie DeSalvo connected for two goals in the game's first 20 minutes, and that was enough in the 13th-ranked Toros' 3-1 win over a game Grand Canyon squad in the season opener for both teams on a warm Thursday afternoon in Toro Stadium.
DeSalvo gave the hosts a 1-0 lead at the 6:11 mark as Yvonne Vasquez dribbled down the left side, curled around an Antelope defender and dropped her pass to DeSalvo, who hammered it past GCU keeper Shela Robertson near post. It was deja vu all over again just 12 minutes later with MaKensie Pedrotti providing the assist down the left side to a waiting DeSalvo, who connected for her second goal in as many shots.
GCU answered in the 24th minute after Lindsey Countryman took a feed and lofted her shot over the outstretched arms of Alyssa Congdon to cut the lead in half, but the Toro defense shut down the 'Lopes the rest of the way as a late goal by Kristen Boskovich off a loose ball in front of the net provided the final score in CSUDH's 3-1 win.
The Toros outshot the visitors 19-9, including a convincing 10-3 advantage after the break. Congdon finished with 5 saves compared to 7 by Robertson, with DeSalvo's two scores in 73 minutes of play spurring the victory.
CSUDH take to the great northwest to take on Western Washington, 4th-ranked Seattle Pacific and St. Martin's University, before returning home on September 9 to battle Azusa Pacific at 7:00 pm.
