September 5, 2006

Box Score

Carson, CA -- Junior Corrie Hirokawa (Torrance, CA/North Torrance HS) scored two goals to lead a furious comeback as CSUDH notched its first win of the season in a 3-2 win over Grand Canyon University on Tuesday night at Toro Stadium. It was the Toros' first win in four tries.

The visiting Antelopes started quickly with two scores in the first 7:12 of play as Abigail Jenkins took a rebound off the crossbar at the 4:06 mark for the 'Lopes first goal, which was followed by Lindsey Countryman's 5-yard gimme after Toro keeper Ashley De Alejandro (Lakewood, CA/Long Beach City College) failed to clear a ball in her own goal for the 2-0 lead.

That's where the score remained until Hirokawa blasted her shot over GCU keeper Jen Munger from the top of the box at 36:48, cutting the deficit in half. Senior Rachele McDonald (Ventura, CA/Buena HS) capitalized on the Toros' momentum 13 minutes into the 2nd half as she took a deflection in the mouth of the GCU goal and connected to the far side to equalize.

Hirokawa completed the comeback win with her second goal of the game, as well as the year, after executing a textbook give-and-go with Jackie Chavez (Rancho Palos Verdes, CA/Peninsula HS) at 63:18, and beating Munger from 23 yards out to the near post for the win as the Toros improved to 1-3 on the year, keeping GCU winless in three games.

De Alejandro settled down with two saves after intermission, while the CSUDH offense made the most out of its six 2nd-half shots. CSUDH outshot the 'Lopes 17-11 overall, with Munger notching eight saves in the losing effort.

The Toros kick off CCAA action on Friday, September 8, as Cal Poly Pomona pays Carson a visit for a primetime 7:00 p.m. first kick.